Automatic Wudu Washer | Product Muslim

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Automatic Wudu Washer

On 02.15.10, In News, by tareq

An automatic wudu washer? Seriously?

As ridiculous as it may sound, the product has some merit. I’ll be honest, the first time I watched the video I was very doubtful and simply labeled it as a ’stupid gimmick’. Then I came to realize that their target demographic, Muslim majority countries, may need such a machine more than they think. Why? Well it enforces a simple lesson taught by our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):

Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to perform ghusl (ritual bathing) with a sa` (around 4 mudds) of water, and he used to make wudu’ with one mudd of water” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Note: A mudd is that amount of water which is held by the two hands cupped together.

As the video claims, the device actually conserves water usage. Now it doesn’t state whether the amount used is a mudd or not but I’m sure it could be configured to act as such.

Imagine if this was installed across all washrooms within a Muslim majority country, no doubt, there would be significant amounts of water saved. Clean water is a precious resource and as it becomes more valuable each day, with wide adoption, using this machine could be a significant mechanism used to save money. So it’s both economical and helps others follow the Prophet’s sunnah!? What’s not to like?? The fact that it’s not needed.

I’ve personally always tried keeping things simple. Our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used one mudd to make wudu with out the need for such a fancy contraption, can’t we learn to do the same? The sad fact is that many people won’t learn. I’m sure, just like I’ve seen, you’ve all witnessed the massacre of public washrooms by other Muslims. There is water all over the sink, puddles on the floor, and sometimes water even dripping from the ceiling (which to this day I still can’t rationally understand). The machine would help many people who are irresponsible when making wudu but that to me doesn’t justify its purchase, I’d rather teach others the importance of conservation rather than enforce it in just one situation.

Am being too hard? Perhaps since it seems expensive it doesn’t seem worth it, would it seem viable if it were affordable for the average consumer? Maybe I don’t like it because it’s a change to something that I’ve done for so many years? I’d love to hear what you think, what would (if anything) motivate you to purchase a wudu washer? Post your comments below!

tareq

Tareq is currently pursuing a Mathematics degree at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. His internships have led him to explore different opportunities in the ..MORE

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22 Responses

2.17.2010

Thanks for the post…will remember to be more careful about how much water I use for my next wudu.

“I’d rather teach others the importance of conservation rather than enforce it in just one situation.”

In my mind, to promote change, there’s always two pieces: the awareness and then the facilitation…I agree that the the awareness is not emphasized enough and we can’t focus solely on the facilitation piece, but at the same time it’s so true that bathroom sinks just aren’t ideal for wudu. If you’re extremely careful and slow, then perhaps you would have no spillage at all on the countertop. But, in those mass gatherings where you don’t want to be the person who holds up the line, your main concern is getting things done fast…partially accounting for the sloppiness.

The same goes with any tap with running water..unless you’re really diligent and turn off the tap in between the different actions required for wudu, you’ll inevitably waste water.

Is this elaborate alternative necessary to prevent spillage and encourage conservation? likely not..a separate wudu section that can better contain spillage and has the water sensor type taps would accomplish both objectives, but would not be nearly as cool

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tareq Reply:
2.21.2010

Great points fezzik!

I agree with your point about promoting change including two pieces, but I think as you mentioned as well, I don’t see as this being a practical solution. I feel there can be simpler ways of facilitation.

Maybe I have a bias because I find things like these take away the spiritual aspect of performing certain actions. I even feeling using a tap is a different experience from using a pale or jug. With a jug of water you can see exactly how much you’re using, with the tap running it’s harder to appreciate that. Water keeps flowing in what seems like an endless stream from an unlimited source.

When I lived in Bangladesh sometimes we needed to boil our hot water to keep it warm when the hydro systems were acting up. So we would have this large almost barrel like container for all the boiled water. When taking a bath or making wudu you would know exactly how much you used, it gave direct accountability and to me made the experience more genuine.

Haha, perhaps I should have included all that in my post? Writing is often hard because one doesn’t always know the reason they feel a certain way, those things only come out during discussions like these.

What do you think?

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fezzik Reply:
3.5.2010

I think we have a tendency to romanticize the past. I’m not sure why but we associate doing things the way they were done in the past as more authentic or genuine (I know you’re not suggesting that..you’re suggesting the direct accountability piece makes it more genuine), but just as a general observation something I sometimes think about is why we think reverting back to our roots is more genuine than using current methods to reach the same end.

Hey, it’d be pretty cool if each time we made wudu, there would be a meter with an LED display that would show how much water we’ve used. Would probably be much cheaper than this $4,000/piece machine

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Muhammad Abduhu

2.17.2010

I’d agree with you. I don’t think this is the best way to promote the conservation of water.

Children should be made to understand the importance of conserving water (and the etiquette of wudhu) from a young age. It might sound like a cliché but that’s what works in the long run.

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tareq Reply:
2.21.2010

Hmm.. interesting point Muhammad.

You’re saying understanding the importance of water not only is more effective for change it makes a long term impact. I love it!

Do you see any reason for the product though? Like is it practical in certain situations like shopping malls or masjids? Why or why not?

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Muhammad Abduhu Reply:
2.21.2010

Call me a sceptic, but when considering the question of practicality, I’m reminded of the electronic can opener question: http://www.wordspy.com/words/electric-can-openerquestion.asp

Sometimes low-tech solutions are just cheaper, more efficient and more durable than high-tech solutions.

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2.18.2010

I love it! I wish the bros in Pak could see this cause unless they use a few hundred litres of water to wash themselves they think their Wudu isn’t done.

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tareq Reply:
2.21.2010

Great point Samir!

Many people don’t know about this hadith and like many other hadiths it really shows how complete the actions of our beloved Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) were.

Do you think a machine like this would help educate others? Imagine seeing this in a shopping mall and on the side a big sign that says “This machine only uses one mudd, just like our Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) used to use.” Do you think that would help educate people?

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2.18.2010

It’s cute, but too Much The resources spent pampering our Wudu can be used for more useful things

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Mitch Hargreaves

2.20.2010

Looks cool. Another way to conserve water is just to have the tap run slower. Probably cheaper than this thing too.

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Salman Reply:
2.22.2010

Good point Mitch….But none the less a good idea….and a a good wake up call for me to conserve water when preforming wudu.

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2.22.2010

I think this is a good case of applying the KISS rule. Keep it Simple Stupid. It seems obvious to me that what’s saving all the water is the motion sensor taps. Nowadays you will already see these everywhere from gas stations to workplaces. I think maybe we can promote the usage of these for muslims in North America in their homes. Imagine all the water we’ll save not just for wudu but for everyday activities like brushing your teeth!

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2.22.2010

I think if you can add a timer to it, you will add more value to it. It will be like a one-in-all device for all sorts of games.

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2.22.2010

A great idea, only now we need for one for consumer use.

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2.24.2010

Haven’t even looked at the video yet, but:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwd8xkD2xS0

Reply to follow soon

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2.24.2010

Simple, cheap, low-power electronics: LEDs, sensors
Assuming made out of recyclable plastic/steel
Anti-bacteria
1.5L/wash – sensor activated taps, nice touch
From a technical design perspective, good job!

One technical issue I can see with this product is the foot bath. Seems a bit high and may pose issues for physically challenged/seniors. Also, given the lack of water and how much water their demographic are familiar to using, what makes you think they won’t stay there and use it a few times to satisfy their thirst, thus holding up the line.

Social design, not so much… but this is the hardest part.
I know many may use the hadith that the water that drips from you during wudu is a blessing (can’t remember the exact one, but I’m sure you’ve heard something similar before). It’s taken a bit far when you have people pretty much bathing in the sink/station.

Proposal: Place a low flow faucet aerator (ie. a small steel cap to act like a shower) on the faucets of all wudu sinks/stations currently available and mechanically restrict the valve opening to a certain degree to save water yet still deliver a desired pressure (design holes in aerator accordingly). This would both conserve water and have the user comfortable with their wudu. This solution could probably be done for around $2-3/tap, while keeping the current infrastructure in place. A main fall back to this is there it doesn’t restrict time at the wudu station, but hopefully the user will be satisfied with the pressure so they wouldn’t need to be there long. Also, the anti-bacteria is a nice one, but most likely that is already in the masjid custodian’s duties.

Seems like the common thing is everyone wish there was a way to institute a social change rather than develop a compromising technology. Out of the two, developing the technology is the easy way out and can deliver appropriate results, but not necessarily helping with sustainabile change. I would prefer a cheaper solution made and potential overhead money be used on developing a social marketing campaign to encourage Muslims to review their consumption and develop methods (not tech) to facilitate the change. This campaign could affect consumption in not only wudu, but various other areas (given its a shift in mindset). For example, a masjid could host a 1-pint campaign, where you do wudu with 1-pint of water. I know it’s more than a mudd, but baby steps… just throwing out ideas here

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2.27.2010

In this age we are buffeted by so many marketing campaigns that I think using this washer, which provides physical interaction, in shopping malls and masjids as an educational tool is pretty smart in making an impact.

Due to the fractured condition of our society, there is also the suspicion that the average Muslim holds for the legitimacy of random posters quoting supposedly authentic Hadith. A physical product like washer will reinforce legitimacy (i.e. “some reputable organization has to be behind this if they’ve gone this far”).

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3.3.2010

Check out the press release on this product:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-N_V85eZv-g&feature=related

- unrealistic price point in my opinion

Better Alternative: Just put sensors on all taps.
– Cheaper
– Would reach out to more people
– Practical

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3.3.2010

Interesting gadget.. haha. It could actually be very useful, but I’d imagine there’s a big price tag as well that wouldn’t offset the cost of overusing the water. Environmentally it might have more merit. I think it might be better suited to just make people conscious of their wudu behaviour with simple signs on the wall. Just having print outs reminding everyone not to turn the washroom into a fish tank for the good of the environment, the building, and fellow Muslims

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3.3.2010

Insightful blog post – although I think it’s a bit overkill in some aspects, especially with the indicators that tell you which body parts to wash next.

I think people would know which wudhu step is coming next…unless they’re half asleep.

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Fawzy Manaa Reply:
3.9.2010

Talha, but then again, I think a modification in the design can be achieved to disclude some of the less needed features such as the one you mentioned (although I know we’re talking about a product that already integrates the feature into it)… The main idea is the conservation of water.

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3.10.2010

People who can afford this can also afford to waste water and vice versa. If used as a teaching tool for new converts, it’s amazing. If it’s the conservation of water that we are after, than we need something that teaches us to improve our behavior, so maybe a regular tap that displays mL of water usage & every time we will try to improve.

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