when performed by a disbeliever, an insane person, a child who has not yet reached the age of discernment, or by someone who lacked the intention of ablution—such as one who merely wished to cool himself, or who washed his limbs only to remove filth or dirt.

Another condition is that the water be ṭahūr (ritually pure), as explained earlier; if the water is impure, the ablution is invalid. It is likewise required that the water be lawfully obtained; ablution done with water that is stolen or acquired through unlawful means is not sound.

A further condition is the removal of anything that prevents water from reaching the skin. The person making ablution must clear the limbs of mud, paste, wax, caked grime, or thick dyes so that the water flows directly on the skin without a barrier.

The obligatory acts of ablution—the limbs that must be washed or wiped—are six:

1. Washing the entire face, which includes rinsing the mouth (maḍmaḍah) and inhaling water into the nose (istinshāq). Whoever washes his face but neglects either the mouth or the nose—or both—has not performed a valid ablution, for the mouth and nose are part of the face. Allah the Exalted says, “Wash your faces” (Qur’an 5:6); He commanded that the whole face be washed, so whoever leaves out any part has not fulfilled the divine command. The Prophet ﷺ used to rinse his mouth and nose.

2. Washing the hands along with the elbows, in accordance with His saying, “and your hands up to the elbows” (Qur’an 5:6)—meaning along with the elbows, for the Prophet ﷺ caused the water to run around