Chapter on Ablution

The Shaykh : We now begin a new lesson. The author (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "Chapter on Ablution" It is said: al-wudu' and al-wudu' with a damma, so al-wudu' is the water with which one performs ablution, and al-wudu' with a damma is the act of performing ablution, meaning the action. It has examples such as tahur and tahir, suhur and suhur, and wujur and wujur. It has many examples in the Arabic language following this pattern.
So what is ablution? Linguistically, ablution is derived from wada'ah, which means beauty, elegance, and cleanliness from filth and harmful things. As for its meaning in the Shari'ah, it is worshipping Allah (Mighty and Majestic) by purifying the four limbs in a specific manner. Worshipping Allah—pay attention—worshipping Allah (Mighty and Majestic) by purifying the four limbs in a specific manner. The limbs are known, right? They are known, and the al- in them is for mental reference. Now, we said "worshipping Allah" because we want to define an act of worship, so we must say it is worship. Similarly, regarding prayer, do we say it is known words and actions, or do we say it is worshipping Allah?
The student: Worshipping Allah.

The Shaykh : Worshipping Allah, and you say the same for zakah, and the same for fasting and Hajj. Ablution is among the best of deeds. In it is the fact that if it is in the days of winter and cold, it is among that by which Allah erases sins and raises ranks, as in the hadith: And among its virtues is that whenever a person purifies one of the limbs, that limb is purified from the spiritual impurity, which are the sins, and the sin of each of these limbs comes out with the last drop of the drops. Among its virtues is that it is following and imitating the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). Among its virtues is that it is obeying the command of Allah And among its virtues, which is specific to this Ummah, is that they will be called on the Day of Resurrection with bright faces and hands from the traces of ablution. Among its virtues is the adornment in Paradise; we ask Allah to make us and you among its people. The adornment reaches wherever the ablution reaches So their bracelets—we ask Allah for His grace—their bracelets are of three types: one of gold, the second of pearls, and the third of silver. When these come together, they have an appearance that pleases the beholders. The important thing is that it has many benefits. Therefore, the stronger opinion among the scholars' opinions is that it is an act of worship and that purity is obligatory for it, contrary to those who said it is cleaning. I made a mistake; it is an act of worship in which intention is obligatory, contrary to those who said it is a purification in which intention is not obligatory, like removing impurity. It is known that intention is not required for removing impurity. If a person spreads out his impure garment and rain falls and purifies it, it becomes pure even if he did not intend it. But ablution is not valid except with intention because it is an act of worship. Ablution has sunnahs and it has fard and wajib. Among its sunnahs is the miswak.