Dear Islamic brothers! Many points can be taken from this verse. Let us focus on two in particular:

1.   The four obligatory actions of wudu are explained.

2.   Wudu is to be made with water, and if none is available, one can make tayammum with earth.

The Proof of Islam, Imam Muhammad al-Ghazālī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه spoke beautifully when discussing these points.

He said:

As per Islamic law, purity is either acquired with water or earth. We perform wudu and ghusl with water and tayammum with earth. In worldly matters, these two things can used to extinguish fire. For example, fire can be put out with water or by having earth put upon it. Both serve the function of extinguishing a fire. When a believer makes wudu or ghusl with these, they extinguish the fire of Hell for him (اِنْ شَآءَ اللہُ الْکَرِیْم).^[1]

Look at the mercy and generosity of Allah Almighty again! Fire burns whilst water extinguishes. The Fire of Hell is much stronger than the fire of this world. You would think one would need a lot of water to put it all out. If a fire is large, a little bit of water will not affect it at all. Again, look Allah’s mercy and generosity! The Fire of Hell is vast and strong, and the water we use to make wudu is much smaller in comparison, but this small amount of water will put out that huge Fire.

Why does wudu have four obligatory actions?

Dear Islamic brothers! Wudu has four obligatory actions:

1.   Washing the hands and arms, up to and including the elbows