Wudu – serial order of washing

[Zafreen]

Salam to all.

O you who have believed, when you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles.   5:6  Al Maidah.


While performing wudu is it necessary to wash in the same serial order as stated in verse 5:6 ?    what if I include all these washings but the serial order changes.  For example, I step home from outside and immediately wash both hands and arms properly with soap and dry them.  Then 5 or 10 minutes later I perform wudu.  Will I have to wash my arms again even though I have washed them thoroughly minutes ago ?  Another example, if I have washed my feet thoroughly after doing some work in the yard.  Then 10 or 15 minutes later do my full wudu, will I again have to wash my feet which are already clean ?

[N. Truth Seeker]

Walaykom as Salam.     In my opinion, no, in such cases there’s no need to wash arms or feet again provided you have maintained its cleanliness during those few minutes.  Washing them again would not serve any practical purpose.  It would only be for one’s mental satisfaction.  You may wash them again if you wish to fulfill this purpose. But in the Noble Quran everything has a purpose.  Nothing is told to be done aimlessly.  In Verse 5:6 Allah briefly states the complete method of wudu on the understanding that the person hasn’t yet washed themselves at all.  The serial order in Verse 5:6 is by default.  Making any changes in that order will not interfere with cleanliness.  We only needs to remember we don’t forget or omit any specific washing as stated by Allah.  If you feel washing in the same order as Allah mentioned will help you not to forget anything, then it’s better to follow that order.


Related links for Wudu:

-  Wudu (MV post).
- Wudu & clothes change.
- Nail polish & wudu
- Ears – question on wudu.
- Is this correct concerning wudu
- Does passing wind invalidate wudu?
- Does sleeping or dozing annul wudu?
- Wiping sleeves if arms cannot be washed for wudu.
- Glaring hadith contradiction on wudu.
- Hadith on washing away sins – I am speechless.
- Tayummum.
- Tayammum (guest query).

[Zafreen]

Thank u to Mv for this very practical assessment of Allah's Commandment, an also for the links.   May Allah reward u. ameen.