Stairs to Bliss - by Imam Shurunbulali (rahmatullahi alaihi)
The Book of Taharah - Categories of Wudu: When Mandatory

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Translation
The divisions of wudu are three:
1) fard
2) wajib
3) nafl or mandub (praiseworthy)

Wudu is fard for:
1) any prayer when a person is in a state of minor ritual impurity
2) the prostration of recitation
3) touching a verse of the Quran

Wudu is wajib for:
1) circling the Ka'bah
2) touching an explication (tafsir) of the Quran

Commentary
Certain actions require a state of wudu, whereas for other acts it is praiseworthy. The author begins this section by mentioning the three acts that require wudu. The first of these is prayer. Any prayer, whether it be fard, sunnah, or nafl requires wudu. The Prophet (salla Allah 'alayhi wa sallam) stated that Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) does not accept the prayer of one who nullified his wudu until he performs it again.

The second act that requires wudu is the prostration of recitation (sajdah al-tilawah). There are fourteen verses in the Holy Quran which, when recited, mandate a prostration. To perform these, wudu is required.

The third act that requires wudu is touching a single ayah in Arabic. If a piece of paper has only a single verse, touching that paper requires wudu. On the other hand, if the majority of the text of a page is other than Arabic Quranic verses, then the majority text prevails and one may touch such a page.

Hypothetical Case: Verses translated into English do not carry the same ruling and may be touched without wudu.

Hypothetical Case: If a physically separate covering is present over a copy of the Quran the covered book may be touched without a state of wudu. On the other hand, the attached binding of the book may not be touched without a state of wudu.

Hypothetical Case: Bismillah al-rahman al-rahim is a verse of the Quran. If this Arabic verse is inscribed on a chain or locket, it cannot be in contact with the body unless the person is in a state of wudu.

Wajib is a legal classification for those acts that are established by proof which are slightly less definite that those used to establish an act as fard. While it is mandatory to act upon a wajib, denying such an act does not result in a state of disbelief (kufr). Wudu is wajib for circling the ka'bah, and touching an explication of the Quran.

By explication of the Quran the author intends those books wherein the Arabic text of the verses outweighs the commentary. Otherwise, if the commentary is the majority, wudu is not required (although it is still preferable).

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