EASY GUIDE FOR NEW MUSLIMS

PREPARING FOR YOUR PRAYER (Wudu)

Before you approach prayer you should purify yourself by performing ablution (Wudu). The first step in performing wudu is to intend it in your heart and by uttering, or saying in your mind, the words "bismillah" (in the name of Allah).    Then rinse your palms up to the wrist three times, rinse your mouth thrice, wash your nose by sniffing water in it thrice, wash your  face three times, then wash your hands up to the elbow, the right hand first  then the left hand.  Then wipe your head with wet hands, rub your ears  with wet hands and finally wash your right feet up to the ankle thrice  and repeat it with your left foot.  When washing your hands, arms and feet you should always start with your right one and repeat it three times, as the Prophet taught us to do.  After you are finished you should say ashadu an-la ilaha illallahu, washadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluh.

If you go to the bathroom for any of your necesities, pass wind, sleep or become unconscious, you should purify yourself again by following the same procedure as described above before the next prayer.  If you are in a state of major impurity (discharge of semen in erotic dreams or sexual intercourse) purify your body by taking a complete bath (Ghusl).   Women should also take a bath after menstruation or child-birth.  The procedure is as follows (1)  have the intention of ghusl, (2) wash the private  parts, (3) perform ablution (wudu) as you do before prayer (4) put water  over the head (5) wash the whole body, head and hair thoroughly so as  not to leave a dry spot (6) say ashadu an-la ilaha illallahu, washadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluh.  A Muslim is expected to do ghusl at least once a week is on Friday  before the congregational prayers, though nowadays it is hardly applicable as we take showers everyday.

Women are exempt from performing prayer during the days of menstruation and child-birth time.  As for other times, they are required to perform prayer  promptly.