on the forepart of his head, then run them to the nape, and finally return them to the place from which he had begun. Wiping the head three times is recommended. It is enough to wipe only part of the head, and if one is wearing a turban, wiping over it alone suffices. Wiping the ears is also recommended, using the same water with which the head was wiped.

Washing the feet is obligatory, extending up the shins; the Prophet ﷺ warned, “Woe to the heels from the Fire!” He would pass the little finger of his right hand between his toes during wuḍūʾ—and in every similar situation that required interlacing.

He ﷺ said, “When you put on clothing or perform wuḍūʾ, start with your right side.” (Abū Dāwūd 1/187, with a sound chain). He sometimes washed each limb once, sometimes twice, and sometimes three times, and declared, “Whoever exceeds this has done wrong, transgressed, and acted unjustly.”

Upon finishing wuḍūʾ it is recommended to say: “I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah alone without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. O Allah, make me among those who constantly repent and among those who purify themselves.” (See al-Manār 16/670 for a note on a textual error here.) Or one may say: “Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise. I testify that there is no deity but You; I seek Your forgiveness and repent to You.”

Permissibility of helping another person perform wuḍūʾ.

Wuḍūʾ for the one who wishes to sleep: “When you come to your bed, perform wuḍūʾ as you do for prayer, then lie on your right side and say….”

Wuḍūʾ for one in major impurity who wishes to resume marital relations: “When one of you has been with his spouse and then wants to return to her, let him perform wuḍūʾ.” (Muslim 4; Aḥmad).

And likewise if he wishes to eat (Muslim, Aḥmad). At times he would suffice with washing only his hands (Nasāʾī, Aḥmad: sound).