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Thursday, November 19, 2015

Baab as-Siwaak wa Sunnan al-Wudhoo (Part 2)

-Qaza is to shave parts and leave parts. The scholars differed on its ruling:
-Some of the Hanbalees said it is Makrooh unless on intends to imitate the Kuffaar or the opposite gender, then it would be Haram, this is the view favoured by Ibn al-‘Uthaymeen.
-others said is it haram because the Prophet [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him] commanded the young boy either to shave it all or leave it all (i.e. keep his hair at one length). Here we have a combination of a command and a prohibition, which shows that it is Haraam. Uthaymeen states that following this opinion is better, so if we see a person then we command him either to grow it all or leave it all.

The Sunnan of Wudhoo
-Some of the scholar drew a difference between Sunnah and Mustahab: sunnah being clear in the texts but Mustahab as part of Ijtihaad of a scholar. Uthaymeen says what is important is that we realize the ruling, that Sunnah is something which is commanded but not obligatory.

The following are the Sunnah part of the Wudhoo:
-To use the Siwaak. Discussion on this has preceded.
-To wash the limbs three times. Uthaymeen says once is sufficient because the Ayah in Surah al-Maa’idah (5:6) says wash and doesn’t give a limit. So one can wash each limb just once, or twice or thrice, or using a variation, some once and others twice etc. the obligation is to wash each limb once.
-some of the scholars said it is Makrooh to eash each limb just once. Uthaymeen says it is not Makrooh and in fact closer to the Sunnah as the Prophet has been described washing in Wudhoo sometimes just once for each limb, and at times twice. Therefore, it is better to wash thrice as this was common practice in the Sunnah but it is permissible to use a variation at times.

Likewise, it is better to start by washing the hands and the inner palms thrice before the Wudhoo as the rest of the Wudhoo is dependent on the palms, even though washing the palms isn’t mentioned in the Aayah.

-To wash ones hands is Mustahab. Uthaymeen states that some of Hanbalees opined that it is obligatory to wash ones hands and rinse ones nose after waking up from night sleep, as the Prophet commanded this. As for sleep during the day, it is not recommended because the Prophet explained that the Shaytaan can tamper with ones hands and r3eside in ones’ nose.

-To begin with gargling (Madmadah) before rinsing the nose (Istinshaaq). Uthaymeen added that gargling is to make sure one washes his mouth properly with the water before spitting it out. The Sunnah is to fill both hands with water and wash the mouth and nose in one motion. This is Sunnah but one would have fulfilled the  Wajib of washing ones mouth and nose by making water enter it (without moving the water around). It is also Sunnah to make blow the water out of the nose after washing (Istinshaar).
-Some of the narrations state that doing the Madmadah, Istinshaaq and Istinshaar should be done after washing the face. Uthaymeen states what is consistent is that they come before washing the face but if one does it after washing the face, this is permissible.

-It is Sunnah to be thorough and excessive when doing Madmadah, Istinshaaq and Istinshaar. Uthaymeen places an exception - if one is fasting or fears for harm such as a person with sinus problems

-Takhleel is Sunnah, which is to run the fingers through the beard if it is thick. Uthaymeen explains that washing the outer appearance of a thick beard is Waajib and Takhleel is Sunnah. However, if one doesn’t have a thick beard and the skin of his face is visible, then washing the skin is Waajib as washing the face is Waajib, and this persons face is not covered by his beard.

-Some of the Hanbalees stated that it is a must that one washes the inner part of the beard. However, Uthaymeen states the correct opinion is that if the beard is thick and long, then the outer part of the beard is what is Waajib.

Ways of doing Takhleel.
‘Uthman [Allaah be Pleased with him] described the Prophet doing takhleel and these are the common ways of doing it:

-Either one gets a handful of water and washes his beard upwards.
-Or one wets his hands and runs his fingers through the beard like a comb.
Uthaymeen summarises washing/wiping the beard:
-If the beard is thin or non-existant, then one must wash (Waajib) the face as one would wash any other part of the limbs covered in Wudhoo.
-One must (Waajib) wipe the outer appearance of his face (without Takhleel), whether he has a think beard or not but this is exclusive to at-Tayammum.
-One must wash (Waajib) the inner part of the beard, whether it is thick or not, in Ghusl from impurity.
-It is recommended (Sunnah) to wipe wet fingers through the beard if the beard is thick in Wudhoo.

-It is Sunnah to wash between the fingers and toes. ‘Uthaymeen the reason can be twofold:
-to remove hidden dirt
-it completes the washing of hands and feet.

Uthaymeen states one should use the pinky finger starting from the right or the thumb when on the left hand.

-To begin from the right. Uthaymeen stated there is no specific command to begin with the right for Wudhoo. The description of Wudhoo in the Quraan doesn’t mention it either. However, the Prophet liked beginning with the right in all matters, thus it is a Sunnah of the Wudhoo to begin from the right but if one began from the left then this is permissible as the matter is broad.

-To use fresh water to wipe the ears. ‘Uthaymeen said this has been narrated in al-Bayhaqee but the hadeeth is odd thus classed weak because it conflicts with the Hadeeth of ‘Abdullah bin Zayd (May Allaah be Pleased with him) in Muslim which describes the Wudhoo of the Prophet and there is no mention of using fresh water after wiping the head to wipe the ears. Rationally, the command is to wipe the head and the ears are part of the head so it must treated as the same organ and not a different one.

Benefit from ‘Uthaymeen: some people use the Hadeeth Qudsee, “My Servant doesn’t get closer to Me except by doing what is Waajib upon him. Then he continues to get closer to Me by increasing in optional deeds” that closeness to Allaah, the Most High, is by increasing in optional deeds and not doing via the Waajib ones.

They try to use the Ahkaam connected to Wudhoo as proof. They claim that washing each limb in Wudhoo once is Waajib but the more one increases, the better it is. Thus Sunnah is better than Waajib. They also use the Ahkaam connected to greetings as well, as the majority say that initiating the Salaam is Sunnah yet better then replying which is Waajib.
Uthaymeen responds by saying that something which is dependant on something else cannot be better. The example given above are all example of doing something Sunnah or an extra act of worship is dependent on the Waajib that preceded it.

Secondly, the issue of giving Salaam can’t be used as proof as the Hadeeth which states “The one who initiates Salaam is better” doesn’t mean that the action is better, as replying is better as it is a Waajib. 

Next chapter: Baab Furood al-Wudhoo wa Sifaatihi (Obligations of Wudhoo and Its Description)

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