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Lesson Purification in Relation to the Winter
Rainwater is pure in itself and can be used to purify other things. Allah says: (And We have sent down from the heavens pure water.) (Furqan:48) Likewise, the effects of that water on the soil, asphalt, and streets that cling onto the clothes and shoes of those who go out to pray are also considered pure.
Performing the Ablution Thoroughly During the Bitter Cold of Winter
Performing the ablution thoroughly, whether with cold or hot water, is an act of worship that draws a person closer to Allah. The Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: «Shall I not inform you of that through which Allah wipes away your sins and raises your ranks?» They said: "Yes, O Messenger of Allah." So he replied: «Making the ablution thoroughly at times when it is difficult to do so, and taking many steps to the mosques, and waiting for the next prayer after having just prayed, and that is [equivalent to] protecting the frontier.» (Muslim, 251)
Some common mistakes that are made when washing parts of the body (for the purpose of performing ablution) is negligence when it comes to ensuring water reaches every part it is supposed to, as a case in point. You find some people do not wash their face properly and suffice with just wiping it, or they do not wash their hands or feet fully. This is not permissible; rather it is obligatory that ablution be done properly and completely if a person is able to, otherwise the water should be heated in order to aid in that task.
It is permissible to heat water for the purpose of ablution in winter, and that will not reduce the reward of the person. As it is permissible to dry the body after ablution, and no reward is lost doing so either. So if by not doing something (like heating the water for ablution) will harm a person or prevent him from performing ablution thoroughly, then he must do it.
Tayammum (dry ablution) is when a person strikes the dust on the ground with both of his hands; then, he wipes his face with both hands. After that, he wipes his right palm with his left hand and vice versa.
Dry ablution is permitted when: -water is not available at all -there is a limited amount, and he needs it for other things, and other water sources are not close by. -a person would face severe hardship if he was to use water, such as extreme cold or an illness.
Wiping over the socks: This is when a person wears leather socks on his feet or normal socks that cover his feet completely (up to and including the ankles) while being in a state of purity and free from major and minor impurities. So when he wipes his head and ears during ablution, he is not required to remove his socks to wash his feet, rather, he can just wipe over the top part of his feet.
For wiping over the leather socks or normal socks to be valid, the following conditions have to be observed:
The Length of Time Wiping Can Be Done on the Socks
The time limit for wiping the socks begins from the first time a person wipes his feet after he has made ablution.
It is not permissible to wipe over the socks if the person who wears them does so while he is not in a state of complete purity. Nor is it permissible to wipe over the socks if the time limit for wiping has ended. Also, the one who has to perform ghusl (full bath) for example from having sexual relations. In such cases, the socks must be removed and purified by being washed.
