I follow it as the Quran as stated, washing the face, wrists to elbows, head, and feet. However, I'm a recent revert and have seen sites and books that say to sniff up water, wash inside the ear and other areas. Is this a common practice?
It is like the Koran says. The sites and books can not over rule what is in the Koran.
Well what is mentioned in the Quran (about washing the face, arms, doig masah and washing the feet) those are the faraidh (compulsory acts) whereas putting water in your nose, gargling your mouth are sunnahs...etc...but that doesn't mean that you leave them out... you still have to do them, cause there are many ahadith that mention that the Prophet (SAW) did them. and Allah knows best
[5:6] O you who believe, when you observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), you shall: (1) wash your faces, (2) wash your arms to the elbows, (3) wipe your heads, and (4) wash your feet to the ankles. If you were unclean due to sexual orgasm, you shall bathe. If you are ill, or traveling, or had any digestive excretion (urinary, fecal, or gas), or had (sexual) contact with the women, and you cannot find water, you shall observe the dry ablution (Tayammum) by touching clean dry soil, then rubbing your faces and hands. GOD does not wish to make the religion difficult for you; He wishes to cleanse you and to perfect His blessing upon you, that you may be appreciative. no need for any other explanation The Quran is detailed, and when God says He detailed His book it means FULLY detailed. God does not do half jobs. Shall I seek other than GOD as a source of law, when He has revealed to you this book fully detailed? Those who received the scripture recognize that it has been revealed from your Lord, truthfully. You shall not harbor any doubt. 6:114 (See also, 7:52, 11:1, 41:3, 10:37 and 12:111)
I don't think that water needs to go inside your ear, but just wipe the outiside of the ear. Sniffing water can be done slowly so that it doesn't hurt. Also 1/3 of the head needs to be splashed with water. Don't forget to make intention before doing the wudu. If you don't make the intention then your wudu is not complete. That should be the first thing you do.
