Learn the 6 obligatory (fard) acts of wudu (ablution) in the Shafi'i school according to Qur'an,

Answer: The Obligatory (Fard) Acts of Wudu in the Shafi'i School

In the Shafi'i school, the obligatory (fard) acts of wudu (ablution) are six. These are derived from the Qur'an (Surah al-Ma'idah 5:6) and authenticated hadiths. The six are:

1. Intention (Niyyah) – To intend in the heart to perform wudu for the purpose of removing ritual impurity. It must be made at the moment of washing the face.
2. Washing the Face – From the hairline to the chin, and between the ears. The water must reach all parts of the skin and beard (for men, the external hair of the beard is washed).
3. Washing the Two Hands and Arms up to the Elbows – Including the elbows. The entire forearm must be washed.
4. Wiping Part of the Head – At least a portion of the head (scalp) must be wiped with wet hands. Wiping the entire head is recommended (sunnah), but only part is obligatory.
5. Washing the Two Feet up to the Ankles – Including the heels and the ankles.
6. Observing the Proper Order (Tartib) – The above steps must be performed in sequence as mentioned in the Qur'an and hadith. If one deliberately reverses the order, wudu is invalid.

Key Shafi'i References:

• Imam al-Shafi'i, Al-Umm (vol. 1, p. 21-24)
• Imam al-Nawawi, Al-Majmu' (vol. 1, p. 386-390)
• Imam al-Nawawi, Minhaj al-Talibin (chapter on wudu)
• Zakariyya al-Ansari, Fath al-'Allam (commentary on Minhaj)
• Ibn Hajar al-Haytami, Tuhfat al-Muhtaj (vol. 1, p. 112-118)
• Imam al-Ramli, Nihayat al-Muhtaj (vol. 1, p. 98-102)
• Fath al-Mu'in (p. 11-13)

Note: These six fard acts are obligatory for the validity of wudu. Neglecting any one of them intentionally or forgetfully (without repeating it) nullifies the wudu. All other actions (e.g., rinsing the mouth, wiping ears, washing three times) are sunnah or recommended, not obligatory.