The actions and procedure of ablution (wudu) are the same for all people; however, there is a difference in one of the stages between the ablution of men and women, which is better to be observed. Stay with Saadnews for more.
One of the rituals and prerequisites for prayer in Islam is performing ablution (wudu). Wudu is also obligatory before the Tawaf around the Kaaba and when wiping the Qur’an. Muslims perform wudu before entering the mosque and before sleep, which is considered recommended. Many people often ask if there is a difference between the wudu of men and women.
To perform wudu, the following steps must be followed in order:
Intention for Wudu: The correct way to perform wudu is to first have the intention, meaning to intend to perform wudu for the sake of obeying God and drawing closer to Him.
Washing the Face for Wudu: Next, with the right hand, pour some water onto the upper part of the face, from where the hair grows to the end of the chin, and wash the entire face.
Washing the Right Hand in Wudu: Then, with the left hand, pour water over the upper part of the right arm up to the elbow and wash from top to bottom, not the other way around, all the way to the fingertips.
Note: It is recommended for men to pour water from the back of the elbow, and for women, from the front.
Washing the Left Hand in Wudu: Then, with the right hand, pour water over the upper part of the left arm and wash it in the same manner as the right arm.
Note: For proper wudu, washing the face and hands should be done from top to bottom. That is, when washing the face, water should be poured from the upper part of the face and then wiped down, not from the bottom up. This would invalidate the wudu.
When washing the hands, water should be poured from just above the elbow and wiped down.
Wiping the Head: Afterward, wipe the head with the wetness of the right hand; this means placing the fingers on the top of the head and pulling them slightly down.
Note: For proper wudu, it is not necessary to wipe the skin of the scalp, and it is acceptable if it is wiped over the hair ends. However, if the hair is long enough to fall over the face, or part of the hair is placed on another part of the head, like for most women, the parting of the hair should be made, and the wiping should be done over it.
Wiping the Right Foot: Next, wipe the right foot by using the wet right hand from the toes to the ankle.
Wiping the Left Foot: Similarly, wipe the left foot using the left hand.
Note: When wiping the head and feet, the areas should be dry, but if they are moist enough that the moisture of the hand prevails, it is permissible.
Note: There should be nothing between the hand and the area being wiped, such as socks, even if thin.
Based on the fatwas of most jurists, there is no difference in the general procedure and obligatory actions of wudu between men and women. The difference is only in some of the recommended practices. This means that for both men and women, the same actions are obligatory, but in some of the recommended actions, there are differences. For example, it is recommended for men to start washing their elbows from the outer part, while women should start from the inner part.
For men, it is recommended to start washing the outer part of the hand in the first wash and the inner part in the second wash. However, for women, it is recommended to do the opposite.
(Al-Urwah al-Wuthqa, Vol. 1, Some Recommended Acts of Wudu, Tenth)
There is no difference in the actions and the quality of wudu between men and women, except for the fact that for men, it is recommended to start washing the elbow from the outer part, and for women, from the inner part. (Office of the Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, Fatwas)
The reason for these differences is not entirely clear, but in order to maintain women’s modesty, it is recommended in the narrations that they remain modest in their posture, sitting, bowing, and prostration, and that their body contours remain concealed. (Wasail al-Shia, Vol. 1, p. 328; Sharh al-Lum’a, Vol. 1, p. 79 and 295)
Perhaps pouring water from the inner hand (the palm) for women is also considered in this regard.
