Rakats in Wudu | The Explanation You're Looking For

Rakats in wudu is one of the important topics about wudu. I say that because there are some Muslims who need an explanation about it. They consider that rakats and wudu are two things that are interrelated. But, is that true?

Whatever your reason for opening this article, I am sure you are looking for an explanation of rakats and wudu. Don't worry! That's what I will explain today. Apart from that, I will also explain some important things about it. So, you just need to read this article to the end!

The Meaning of Wudu You Must Understand

Hi! Now I will explain the meaning of wudu which you must understand first so you can understand the main topic in this discussion. There are some Muslims who do not understand that well. I'm pretty sure you don't want to be a part of them.

Literally, wudu is self-purification (الطَّهَارَةُ). The meaning is, that literally, wudu is doing something with the aim of purifying oneself from something that is considered to be detrimental to purity. In Islam, something that can break purity is hadas (الحَدَثُ).

Hadas (الحَدَثُ) is an impure condition in a Muslim. Hadas cannot be seen, held, or heard because it is a condition of a Muslim's body. In Islam, there are two types of hadas: minor hadas (الحَدَثُ الأَصْغَرُ) and major hadas (الحَدَثُ الأَكْبَرُ).

Minor hadas (الحَدَثُ الأَصْغَرُ) is an unholy condition in a Muslim that can be removed by wudu. If he cannot perform wudu, then he may perform tayammum to remove it. The meaning is that wudu is the first and most important way to get rid of minor hadas (الحَدَثُ الأَصْغَرُ), whereas tayammum is an alternative.

Hadas besar (الحَدَثُ الأَكْبَرُ) is an unholy condition in a Muslim that can be removed by Ghusl Janabah (غُسْلُ الْجَنَابَةِ). Ghusl Janabah (غُسْلُ الْجَنَابَةِ) is bathing done with the intention of removing major hadas (الحَدَثُ الأَكْبَرُ) and all body skin must be washed. If he cannot perform Ghusl Janabah (غُسْلُ الْجَنَابَةِ), then he may perform Tayammum. This is similar to the method of removing minor hadas (الحَدَثُ الأَصْغَرُ): Ghusl Janabah is the first and foremost method, while tayammum is the alternative.

As for the meaning of wudu in Islam, you can find it in the two explanations below:

اِسْتِعْمَالُ الْمَاءِ فِيْ أَعْضَاءٍ مَخْصُوْصَةٍ مُفَتَّتَحًا بِنِيَّةٍ

Using water on certain parts of the body that begins with the intention.

التَعَبُّدُ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ بِغَسْلِ أَعْضَاءٍ مَخْصُوْصَةٍ ، عَلَى صِفَةٍ مَخْصُوْصَةٍ

Worship Allah Azza wa Jalla by washing certain parts of the body with certain characteristics.

Hi! If you understand the two definitions of wudu above, you can conclude that wudu is using water in a certain way and a certain niyyah as worship to Allah. Specifically, using water is washing and wiping several parts of the body to remove minor hadas (الحَدَثُ الأَصْغَرُ) as an obligation and worship to Allah.

The Meaning of Rakats You Must Understand

You are still with me? Now I will explain the meaning of Rakats which you must understand. You must understand that because it is the second keyword in this discussion that you must understand so that you can understand the main topic in this discussion.

In simple terms, you can find the meaning of Rakats in the explanation below:

الرَّكَعَاتُ هِيَ : أَقْوَالٌ وَأَفْعَالٌ مَخْصُوْصَةٌ ، فِيْ الدِّيْنِ الْإِسْلَامِيِّ ، تَتَكَوَّنُ مِنْهَا الصَّلَاةُ ، وَكَيْفِيَتُهَا مُحَدَّدَةٌ بِاتِّبَاعِ الشَّرْعِ 

Rakats are certain sayings and movements in Islam that are components of prayer and the way of doing it is determined by following the sharia.

In general, if you understand the definition of Rakats as I have quoted above, you can conclude that Rakats are the parts of prayer. Rakats are sayings and movements that are performed in prayer in a certain way as prescribed in Islam.

As a Muslim, you must understand that the Fajr prayer has 2 Rakats, Dhuhr, Asr and Isha have 4 Rakats, and Maghrib has 3 Rakats. Rakats are components that cannot be separated from prayer. That's Rakats.

Are There Rakats in Wudu?

Now I will explain the last thing that you must understand well. This is the main topic in this discussion. So, I really hope you understand the explanation below so that you won't have any more questions about it after you've read this article—but if you still have other questions, don't hesitate to drop them in the comments! I will be very happy if we can have a dialogue.

Pay close attention to the two main things below!

• In the previous few paragraphs, I have explained that wudu is rubbing certain parts of the body in a certain way, a certain Niyyah, and a certain purpose. Wudu is performed before prayer—this is with the assumption that Muslims perform wudu as a condition for praying.
• In the previous few paragraphs, I have already explained that Rakats are the components of prayer. That's why Rakats are performed in prayer.

The first conclusion that you should understand is that wudu is performed before prayer, whereas Rakats is performed during prayer.

Now, are there Rakats in wudu?

Of course, the answer to the above question is “No”. There are no Rakats in wudu. The reason is because they are two different entities. Wudu is washing and wiping several parts of the body before prayer, while Rakats are the utterances and movements performed during prayer.

You have a question? Please write in the comment column!