Ruling on Decreasing or Increasing in Wudu – In the Light of Hadith
Source: Ahkam wa Masail – Chapter: Issues of Purification, Vol. 1, p. 86
Question
The Prophet ﷺ said in a hadith: “Whoever decreases or increases (in wudu) has done wrong.”
In another narration, it is mentioned: “He has done evil.”
What is meant by decreasing and increasing in wudu? Please explain.
Answer
Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ‘ala Rasulillah, amma ba’d!
1. Increasing in Wudu
- Washing the limbs more than three times during wudu is sinful.
- This ruling is established from authentic ahadith.
2. Decreasing in Wudu
- If a person washes the limbs less than three times, the hadith does not explicitly state that it is a sin.
- Washing each limb three times is Sunnah,
- Washing less than three times is a deficiency in Sunnah, but it is not clearly declared sinful in the hadith.
✅ Summary:
- Three times: Sunnah and complete wudu.
- More than three times: Prohibited and sinful.
- Less than three times: Not sinful in explicit wording of hadith, but against the Sunnah.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
