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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Inner Secrets of The Path Part 3: Branches Minor Ritual Ablution (wudhu’) i) According to the people 'of shari`ah * * All, both the common and the elite, are familiar with the meaning of wudhu’ . It may be classified in three ways: obligatory, recom­mended, and meritorious.

We have no need here to refer to the last two, but rather we shall consider the first, namely the obligat­ory, which may be divided into two aspects: the actions performed and the manner in which they are performed. There are five obligatory actions: intention, washing of the face, washing of the hands, wiping over the head, and wiping over the feet.

There are ten obligations with regard to the manner of their performance: the making of the intention at the time of the wudhu’ ; maintaining the intention until completion of the wudhu’ ; washing the face from the point of growth of the hair above the forehead to the lower point of the beard ‑ from the top of the face to the bottom reaching those parts of the face which may be covered when the thumb and middle finger are outstretched ‑ washing both arms from the elbow to the tips of the fingers, the wiping of the front part of the head just enough for it to be recognized as wiping, wiping both feet from the ends of the toes to the point above the ankles, in a specific order ‑that is beginning with the washing of the face, then the right hand, then the left, then the wiping of both feet, the performance of each action in a continuous motion, not allowing any significant time to elapse between the washing of each limb such that one does not allow the part previously washed to dry before going on to the next part ‑ wiping the head and both feet using the wetness and drops of water which remain (and not using any further water).

This method is that used by the people of the House of the Prophet. There are many differences of manner with regard to the wudhu’ of other groups, besides the Shi'ahs, but this is not the appropriate moment to enter upon a discussion of them; and Allah is more Knowing and more Wise.