Shaafi’ Wudhu Masaail (22)

4.6. Masah of the Ears

1. After masah of the head it is sunnat to make masah of the ears.
2. If the masah on the ears is done before masah of the head then the sunnat of masah of the ears will not be gained.
3. Fresh water should be taken for this masah. This is the best method of the sunnat. If, however, the leftover water or moisture on the hands from masah on the head is used, the sunnat will be fulfilled.
4. The masah should be made on the front and back of the ears in the following manner:

* Place the kalimah fingers – the index fingers – of both hands in the opening of the ears of their respective sides.

* Move the fingertips along the contours of the ears and simultaneously the thumbs along the back of the ears.

* Lastly, place the palms on the ears.

5. The above method is the most perfect (akmal) method of masah of the ears. It is not incumbent, however. The sunnat will be fulfilled in any other method as well.
6. If masah was made on only parts of the two ears then although this fulfils the sunnat, however, the perfect method of the sunnat is to make masah of the entire ear.

Note: When washing the face, it is sunnat to wash the ears as well. Then, whilst making masah of the head, passing the moist hands over the ears is also sunnat. Then the masah of the ears will be exclusively done as an independent sunnat. In this manner, the ears enjoy one occasion of washing and two occasions of masah.

(Al-Mabsoot – To be continued, Insha Allah)