Waswasa in Wudhu: The Influence of Al-Walahan
The Importance of wudhu in Islam
Wudhu, or ablution, is an important Islamic act of worship. Without it, our prayers would not be valid, and we would be deprived of much good. We find in the Sunnah that the Prophet ﷺ emphasized the importance of diligence in wudhu, as even a small spot left dry is enough to prevent it from being valid. Hence, wudhu needs to be done with care and attention.
Shaytaan’s Tactics: Causing Doubts in Wudhu
However, the shayateen (devils) have taken advantage of this to use it against the believers. In fact, there is a specific shaytaan (devil) appointed solely for causing doubts and uncertainties to the believer, so he wastes water.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Indeed, there is a Shaitan for Wudu' who is called 'Al-Walahan.' So beware of having misgivings about water." [Jami` at-Tirmidhi 57]
The Consequence of Excessive Wudhu Due to Doubts
This is why you will find many Muslims being obsessed—beyond what is necessary—when it comes to performing wudhu. The result they get by doing this is nothing except causing distress to themselves and falling into sin (wasting water and going against the Sunnah).
But wudhu does not have to be difficult or burdensome. Islam is a religion of ease, and if we want to follow Islam, we should follow the best example: the Prophet ﷺ.
How the Prophet ﷺ Performed Wudhu
The Prophet ﷺ did not use more than a cup of water when performing wudhu.
It was narrated that 'Abdullah bin Jabr said:
"I heard Anas bin Malik say, 'The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to perform Wudu' with a Makkuk (cup) and Ghusl with five Makkuks (cups).'" [Sunan an-Nasa'i 345]
It is also confirmed that the Prophet ﷺ performed wudhu (washing each part) three times and then said, “This is how wudhu should be performed, and whoever exceeds this limit [washes more than three times], he is wrong and has indeed transgressed the limits and committed evil.” [An-Nasaa'i, Ahmad, and Ibn Maajah]
So, it should be clearly understood: although doing wudhu requires care and attention, it is still a simple and easy process that should take around one minute, requiring only a small amount of water.
How do you overcome these waswasa during wudhu?
1. Before wudhu, prepare yourself to enter into a state of concentration. Leave all worldly thoughts behind.
Then say, "A'udhu billahi min ash-shaytaan-ar-rajeem" (أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم).
2. After that, say "Bismillaah" once, and then proceed to perform wudhu. Do not re-wash any of your limbs, and do not wash any limb more than three times (as this is from the actions that the Prophet ﷺ warned us against).
3. During wudhu, do not hasten yourself nor be too slow. Pay attention to every step for wudhu.
4. After wudhu, realize that any doubt that comes after you've finished performing wudhu does not matter.
Ibn Rajab (rahimahullah) said, "If a person is uncertain after finishing a prayer or any other act of worship as to whether he omitted an essential part of it, he should not pay any attention to that doubt."
Additional things to consider:
5. Realize that as long as you are reasonably sure that water reached your limb fully, that is enough. We are not commanded to meticulously check each pore of our skin to see if water reached there.
6. Even wiping once over the limb is enough in many cases. Washing twice and thrice is merely Sunnah and is good to do but not required according to scholarly consensus.
Ash-Shawkani (rahimahullah) said:
“The authentic Hadiths speak of washing each part once, twice, or three times, or washing some parts three times and some twice. The differences indicate that all of these are permissible, and that washing three times is most perfect and washing once is sufficient.” [Source: Nayl Al-Awtar, 1/188]
7. Take your phone, turn video recording on, and record yourself whilst making wudhu.
If shaytaan whispers that you forgot your left foot or the right arm, or you didn't wipe properly, then you can review the video and see for yourself that it was all waswasa.
Recording the wudhu process can serve as a reassurance tool, allowing you to review and verify that you performed each step correctly.
But this shouldn't be used often, since needing reassurance all the time is the main thing that drives compulsive behavior. Rather, you should rely on your own understanding and knowledge of your performance of wudhu, trust in the mercy of Allah, and know that Allah forgives mistakes.
8. Which brings us to the final point. You have to understand Allah is merciful and that He will not doom you to the Hellfire because of a small genuine mistake you've made in wudhu.
The Prophet ﷺ said, “Verily, Allah has overlooked for my nation their honest mistakes, forgetfulness, and what they are forced into doing.” [Sunan Ibn Mājah 2045]
These whispers are from Shaytaan, as clearly established, and Shaytaan is your enemy. Shaytaan wants your destruction, so by giving into these whispers, you're following Shaytaan. But by ignoring these whispers and trusting in Allah's mercy, you're following Islam as the Prophet ﷺ said:
The Prophet ﷺ said, “Verily, the religion is easy, and no one burdens himself in religion but that it overwhelms him. Follow the right course, seek closeness to Allah, give glad tidings, and seek help for worship in the morning and evening and a part of the night." [Sahih Bukhari 39]
