Wudu
Wuḍūʾ ( "" ) is the Islamic procedure for cleansing parts of the body, a type of ritual purification, or ablution. The 4 Fardh (Mandatory) acts of "Wudu" consists of washing the face, arms, then wiping the head and the feet with water. Wudu is an important part of ritual purity in Islam. It is governed by "fiqh" (Islamic jurisprudence), which specifies rules concerning hygiene and defines the rituals that constitute it. It is typically performed before prayers ("salah or salat"). Activities that invalidate "wudu" include urination, defecation, flatulence, deep sleep, light bleeding, menstruation, postpartum and sexual intercourse. "Wudu" is often translated  as 'partial ablution', as opposed to "ghusl" as 'full ablution' where the whole body is washed. It also contrasts with "tayammum" ('dry ablution'), which uses sand or dust in place of water, principally due to water scarcity or other harmful effects on the person. Purification of the body and clothes is called "taharah". Basis of Wudu. Quran. says The Islamic prophet Muhammad said that "Cleanliness is half of faith." Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence). Wudu by itself is a mustahabb (recommendable act) in Islamic rites, but it becomes obligatory in Special conditions such as Daily prayers (salah) and Tawaf and worship. Description  in Hadith. Wudu in Hadith Abu Hurairah, in reference to the Day of Resurrection, reported that Muhammad, when asked if he would be able to recognize Muslims, said, "Yes, you would have a mark which other people will not have. You would come to me with a white blaze on your foreheads and white marks on your feet because of the traces of ablution." Abu Hurayra said, "I have heard prophet (may peace be upon him) say, "In a believer adornment would reach the places where ablution reaches." Uthman stated that Muhammad said, "He who performed ablution well, his sins  would come out from his body, even coming out from under his nails." Umar reported that Muhammad said, "No one among you does wuḍūʾ and does wuḍūʾ thoroughly – or adequately – and then testifies, 'There is no god but Allah Alone with no partner and I testify that Muhammad is Allah's Messenger', without the eight doors of the Garden being opened to him so that he can enter by whichever of them he wishes." Performing wudu from large bodies of water. It is mentioned in numerous Hadiths by Ja'far al-Sadiq that it is permissible to make wudu with water  that is not overwhelmed with the smell of dead animals. If there is a dead animal, it is recommended to take wudu from the opposite side of the location of the animal. He also said it is permissible to take wudu from the ponds between Mecca and Medina in which people perform ghusl, dogs and beasts drink, and animals die so long as the water level is at least up to the knees. Performing wudu from a well. It has been narrated by Ali al-Ridha that if a drop of urine, blood or animal feces falls into a well , one must remove about ten buckets from it before performing wudu. If the feces has disintegrated into the water, forty to fifty buckets must be removed. Ja'far al-Sadiq has also mentioned that if an animal falls into the well, and has not disintegrated in it, remove five to seven buckets of water from it or until the smell or taste of the water changes. However, If the animal is bleeding or has an open wound, one must draw out thirty to forty buckets before it becomes purified for wudu. If a camel dies in the well or wine is  poured into the well, all the water must be drained. The water of Wudu must be "mutlaq" meaning pure or unmixed (Not necessarily chemically pure). The name of a liquid that is normally regarded by individuals as water. Ritual requirements. Types of water. There are other acts that are performed during wuḍūʾ and the detailed acts of the wuḍūʾ can be classed into 3 types: Farā'id according to Sunni Muslims. According to Sunni Muslims, the Qur'anic mandate for wudu comes in the sixth "ayah" of "sura" 5. The ayah has been translated by Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Rashad Khalifa, Abdullah Yusuf  Ali, Pickthall and Maulana Muhammad Ali as follows. Note that these scholars' translation refer to washing the feet. Referencing the above verse, the Sunni schools of thought have consensus that the following four actions are obligatory in wudu ("Farā'id", aka Faraid, is the singular of "fard" and means "Obligatory ritual duties commanded by God. Generally refers to the five daily prayers, charity, fasting, and pilgrimage"), i.e. necessary for wudu to be valid: The obligation of the following actions is debated among the fiqh schools of thought, though if not deemed obligatory they are considered recommended: It is not sufficient for  one to pass wet hand over the feet. Under certain conditions masah can be done over leather footgear known as khuffs. This is confirmed in several Farā'id according to Shia Muslims. Shia Muslims also believe the Qur'anic mandate for wuḍūʾ comes in the sixth ayat of Al-Ma'ida, the 5th sura. The ayat has been translated by Muhammad Habib Shakir as follows. (Note this scholar's translation refers to wiping the feet.) Mustahabbāt (recommended acts). A handful of "mustahabb" (recommended and meritorious but not required) acts that are considered to make the wuḍūʾ better. If one of these acts is  omitted, the wuḍūʾ is still considered valid. Alternatives. Muslims who are unable to perform the prevailing form of ablution, due to skin disease, a disability or lack of clean water, etc. are recommended to perform "tayammum", sometimes called 'dry ablution', using sand or dust instead of water. Such an alternative form of ritual purity may also be accepted in cases where one fears hypothermia in cold weather. Tayammum is also to be performed when one is defiled (on "janabah") and could not perform "ghusl", and is authorised under specific circumstances. Performance. Wudu in Sunnism. Sunni Muslims perform the following: “Ash -hadu-Allah-illaha-illahah wa-ash-hadu ann-muhamaddan ab-duhu wa rasuluhu” And then recite this Dua after wudu: “allahummaz aal-ni minttwwabi-n waz-aal-ni minal mu-ta-tahhirin” Invalidation. Theoretically, one can perform one wuḍūʾ for salat and this wudu would be considered valid for the rest of the day, unless you nullify it by certain means. Muslims believe that certain acts invalidate the wudu (often referred to as 'breaking wudu' and 'losing wudu'), although the Qur'an does not explain most of these, and rules differ among schools. According to Hidden Pearls website, During the research  and production of this video & blog post, we came across so many conflicting opinions on what breaks wudu and what doesn’t. Different schools of thought vary widely on this issue unfortunately. Especially in the cases of ruling on general bleeding & vomiting, we were even surprised that there seems to be no correct answer. According to Sunni Muslims. According to Sunni Islam, the following invalidate wudu: According to Shia Muslims. According to Shia theology, the following invalidate wudu: Belching and vomiting do not invalidate wudhu, however it is strongly recommended that the individual rinses his or her mouth following the  latter. Bleeding is not considered to invalidate wudhu either, as Ja'far al-Sadiq made it clear in Hadith that a bad wound is not cause to repeat wudhu. This concept further extends to parasites that may exit the body through the two extremities. Cutting one's hair or nails does not invalidate wudhu but he or she should wipe the area with water.