Why Do We Wash Up Before Praying?

Baby Ais already has her prayer mat out. But she hasn't washed up yet.

"Ais, have you done wudhu?" asked Abi.

"Not yet. My hands aren't dirty."

Abi didn't explain much. He led her to the tap. "Watch Abi first."

Abi washed his hands, rinsed his mouth, washed his face, arms to the elbows, wiped his head, then his feet. Slowly.

Baby Ais copied each step. The water felt cool on her hands. She giggled.

When she finished, Baby Ais felt fresh. "Abi, I feel so clean!"

Abi smiled. "Now we're ready to pray. Clean body, clean heart."

Whoever performs wudhu perfectly, his sins leave his body, even from beneath his fingernails.

Now, let your little one do their own wudhu, one step at a time, after watching you do it first. 💧