Ablution (Wudhu)

1. Talking while performing of ablution. It is known that the focus during a prayer depends on the intensity with which wudhu is performed. If you are able to clear your mind of other thoughts and distractions while you are performing wudhu, you will be able to clear them from your mind while praying as well.
2. Running the faucet dry.   There is a tendency to let the water flow in our sinks while we take our time performing the cleansing process.  It is important not to waste Allah’s gift of water, for Islam has taught us to be gentle to ourselves, each other, animals, and the earth.
3. Forgetting to remove make-up.  While we are performing ablution, water is to reach every part of allotted areas with only the exception of physical inability.  If it is obscured by foundation or nail polish, the ablution becomes invalid.  We should take great care in removing everything from our skin and nails so that we purify ourselves according to the teachings of the Prophet .

Prayer (salaat)

1. Wearing skin-tight clothing. We are to approach Allah in the best of physical conditions – clean clothes and clean body.  Be equally careful to be modest in your dress when you approach the prayer mat:  that your shirt is not too short, your pants are not too tight, and your hijab covers your chest.  Modesty is loved by Allah and it is best to maintain it especially in an act of worship.  I find it easier to assign a certain piece of clothing, as in an abaya or a long shirt, to make sure there will be proper coverage without me being distracted and ruining my prayer.
2. Failing to remove pictures. While you might want to debate on whether it is okay in Islam to have pictures displayed in your rooms, there is no point of discussion on the fact that pictures of humans, animals, or insects should not be present in your area of prayer.  The rule of thumb is to make sure that within 180 degrees of you, there is no picture in sight.  If you have a frame or two lying around, simply turn it over so that the face is not showing and there is no threat of jeopardizing your prayer.
3. Just breathe. I cannot say it enough times:  Slow down, sisters! Take your time and pronounce every word as you are praying and make sure the words are not strung together with barely enough time to breath.  Furthermore, do not find yourself as a puppet, bending up and down in a swift motion while clutching your knees and then falling on the floor equally fast for prostration.  Instead, follow each movement while understanding its significance, paying special attention to rukuh (when you clutch your knees) and sajadah (when you prostrate) because, as a hadith states, the longer you stay in these positions, the greater the display of your obedience to Allah and therefore the greater the award.

That’s a double whammy when teamed up with my sensitive skin. The first time I used an acne medicine, my face turned as red as my mom’s shesh -kabob’ed tomatoes and swelled up into an itchy, leathery mess. I can’t use a single face wash, pimple cream, or acne medication because I get an allergic reaction from all of them.

So, I thought that all of that would make me an unlikely candidate for receiving an “ooh, you have such great skin!” compliment… until a few days ago, when I walked into the kitchen and my entire family turned to stare at me. “Look how much your skin cleared up!” my mother cooed. It was even more shocking when my little brother, the kid who taunts me 24/7, acknowledged the tremendous improvement as well. “What’d you use?” he asked.

“Wudu (ablution),” I replied with a smile.

Really, ablution is a tremendous healer for me. Foremost, it keeps you pure and prevents sickness since you’re basically cleansing yourself five times a day. But, then you can have a power combo when you use supplication with your ablution.

When I wash my face during ablution, I say three times, “Ya Rab (Oh God), let my face clear up.” They say Proactiv takes up to two weeks to see results, but I saw results within only five days of repeating this step daily. Subhan’Allah!

Other supplications I use constantly during ablution:

• Washing hands: “Ya Rab, let these hands write a great term paper.” — Awesome for those essays that you really can’t bring yourself to start, or feel less-than-great about.
• Washing mouth: “Ya Rab, let me maintain control of my tongue.” — For umaka, umaka, umaka purposes.
• Washing mouth: “Ya Rab, let me always speak eloquently.” — I’m into debates and public speaking, so I feel this one’s a must.
• Wetting hair: “Ya Rab, strengthen my hair.” — For those sisters always sporting straightened or styled hair under their scarves
• Cleaning ears: “Ya Rab, let me hear only things that are hilal.” — Trying to steer clear of gossip.
• Washing feet: “Ya Rab, heal my feet.” — Used the most during the summer months, when wearing sandals everyday definitely takes its toll.

Subhan’Allah, Allah gives us countless opportunities everyday to seek his assistance, and He’s more generous than we can ever imagine when He administers it. His decrees are more powerful healers than even the most advanced of medicine. When the next prayer begins, insha’Allah, get up and make supplication during your ablutions. See for yourself the tremendous impact they can make.