The Sunnah Method of Wudu in the Light of Authentic Ahadith

This text is taken from the respected Abu Hamza Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi’s book Namaz Mustafa Alaihissalatu Wasalam.

● The Sunnah Method of Wudu:

At the beginning of wudu, recite:

﴿ بسم الله . ﴾

Reference: Sahih Sunan An-Nasa’i: 1/18 No: 76 Musnad Ahmad: 3/165, No: 12694.

Humran, the freed slave of Sayyiduna Uthman (RA), narrates:

“He saw Sayyiduna Uthman bin Affan (RA) performing wudu. He poured water over his hands three times and then washed them. After that, he put his right hand into the vessel, took water, rinsed his mouth and cleaned his nose, then washed his face three times and washed both hands up to the elbows three times. Then he wiped his head. Then he took water and washed both feet up to the ankles three times. Then he said that Rasul al-Thaqalayn ﷺ said that whoever performs wudu like me, then prays two rak’ahs without speaking to himself, his previous sins are forgiven.”

Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Book of Wudu, Chapter: Wudu three times, No: 159.

● Method of wiping the head:

Wipe the head in such a way that both hands move from the front part of the head to the nape, then return forward from where the wiping started.

Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Book of Ablution, No: 1860 185 – Sahih Sunan Nasai by Albani: 23/1, No: 96.

● Wiping the ears:

There is no need to take new water again for wiping the ears; after wiping the head, use the same water to wipe the ears.

The method of wiping the ears is to pass the index fingers through the ear holes and wipe the back of the ears with the thumbs.

Reference: Sahih Muslim, Sunan Nasai, Book of Purification, Chapter on wiping the ears with the head, and the evidence that they are part of the head, No: 99.

● Supplications after completing ablution:

Do not forget to recite the prescribed supplications after completing ablution. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“Whoever performs a complete ablution and then recites this supplication, the eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him, and he may enter Paradise through whichever gate he wishes:”

﴿أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له ، وأشهد أن محمدا عبده ورسوله .﴾

Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Purification, Chapter on the Recommended Remembrance after Ablution, No: 234.

“I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, He is One, He has no partner. And I bear witness that Muhammad ﷺ is His servant and Messenger.”

After ablution, with the testimony of faith, Imam Tirmidhi has also narrated this supplication in his Sunan.

﴿اللهم اجعلني من التوابين، واجعلني من المتطهرين﴾

Reference: Sunan Tirmidhi, Book of Purification, No: 55.

Albani (may Allah have mercy on him) has declared it “authentic.”

“O Allah! Make me among those who perform ablution properly, and make me among those who purify themselves.”

After ablution, this supplication can also be recited:

﴿سبحانك اللهم وبحمدك ، أشهد أن لا إله إلا أنت أستغفرك وأتوب إليك .﴾

Reference: Amal al-Yawm wal-Laylah by An-Nasa’i, No: 426 – Fath al-Bari: 545/12 – Sahih al-Jami’ al-Saghir No: 6046 –

Hafiz Ibn Hajar and Allama Albani have declared it “authentic.”

“O Allah! You are free from every imperfection with all Your praises. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except You. I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance.”

● The Virtue of Ablution:

❀ The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

“Purity means that ablution is half of faith.”

Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Purification, Number: 223.

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (RA) that the Noble Messenger ﷺ said:

“Shall I not tell you something by which Allah removes sins and raises ranks?” The Companions (RA) said:

“O Messenger of Allah, please tell us.”

❀ He said:

“Performing perfect and well-arranged ablution even when not required, frequently going to the mosques, and waiting for the next prayer after one prayer removes sins and raises ranks.”

Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Purification, Number: 251.

Sayyiduna Abdullah Al-San’abi (RA) narrates that the Noble Messenger ﷺ said:

“When a Muslim or a believer washes his face while performing ablution, all the sins committed by seeing with the eyes fall off from his face along with the water or the last drop of water on his face. And when he washes his hands, the sins committed by his hands fall off along with the water or the last drop of water on his hands, until he becomes free from sins and pure.”

Reference: Sunan Tirmidhi, Chapters of Purification, No: 2 – Musnad Ahmad: 303/2. Sunan Darimi: 303/2 – Muwatta Malik, No: 75.

Allama Albani (may Allah have mercy on him) has declared it “Sahih” (authentic).

❀ The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

﴿تبلغ الحلية من المؤمن حيث يبلغ الوضوء .﴾

Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Purification, No: 250.

“In Paradise, the believers will be adorned up to the extent where the water of their ablution reaches.”

● Paradise is guaranteed by the Greeting of Ablution:

Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Noble Messenger ﷺ said to Sayyiduna Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him) at the time of Fajr prayer:

“O Bilal! Describe to me the deed you performed in Islam for which you have great hope of reward, because I have heard the sound of your shoes in Paradise.”

Sayyiduna Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him) said:

The deed for which I have great hope of reward is that whenever I performed ablution, whether at night or during the day, I always prayed as many voluntary prayers as were destined for me along with that ablution.

Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Book of Tahajjud, No: 1149. Sahih Muslim, Book of Virtues of the Companions (رضي الله عنهم), No: 2458.

The greeting of ablution (Tahiyyat al-Wudu) washes away sins. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

﴿من توضأ نحو وضوئي هذا ثم صلى ركعتين لا يحدث فيهما نفسه غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه﴾

Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Book of Ablution, No: 159.

“Whoever performs ablution according to my way, then prays two rak’ahs without speaking to himself in between, his previous sins will be forgiven.”

● Other issues related to ablution:

➊ When performing ablution, clean between the fingers of the hands and toes.

Reference: Sunan Tirmidhi, Chapters of Purification, No: 39 – Silsilat al-Ahadith as-Sahihah, No: 1306.

It is narrated from Sayyid Na Masturud bin Shaddad رضي الله عنه that I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ performing ablution, and he was cleaning between the toes of his feet with the little finger of his hand.

Reference: Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Purification, No: 148 – Al-Jarh wa al-Ta’dil: 31/1 32.

Imam Malik رضي الله عنه has called it “Hasan.”

❀ Allama Shawkani رضي الله عنه says:

Cleaning between the fingers of the hands and feet is obligatory.

Reference: Nail al-Awtar: 241/1.

Amir San’ani, Allama Mubarakpuri, and Allama Albani رضي الله عنه also hold the same view.

Reference: Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi – 156/1 – Sayl al-Salam: 89/1 – Al-Tamām al-Sunnah, p: 93.

➋ Sayyid Na Abdullah bin Umar رضي الله عنه says that if there is a bandage on a wound, then during ablution, wipe over the bandage and wash around it.

Reference: Sunan al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi: 228/1.

Imam Bayhaqi has called it “Sahih.”

➌ While performing ablution, wash each limb first on the right side and then on the left side.

Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Book of Clothing, No: 5854; Sahih Muslim, Book of Purification, No: 617.

4. Take one mudd of water, rinse half of it in the mouth and put the other half in the nose.

Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Book of Ablution, No: 186 – Sahih Muslim, Book of Purification, No: 555.

5. It is also permissible to take separate water for the mouth and nose.

Reference: Al-Tarikh al-Kabir by Ibn Abi Khaythama: 1401.

6. Take one mudd of water, insert it from under the chin and clean the beard.

Reference: Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Purification, No: 145 – A – 14 –

Al-Albani (may Allah have mercy on him) said it is “Sahih”.

7. It is not permissible to wipe the neck separately in ablution, because there is no authentic and raised (Marfoo’) narration regarding it. The narrations presented about it are fabricated. Accordingly, Allama Ibn Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) says:

There is absolutely no authentic hadith about wiping the neck.

Reference: Zad al-Ma’ad: 195/1.

❀ Allama Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) says:

﴿هذا موضوع ليس من كلام النبى﴾

Reference: Al-Majmoo’ Sharh al-Muhadhdhab.

“The narration about wiping the neck is fabricated and fabricated, the narration attributed to the Prophet ﷺ is fabricated! No discussion.”

Marghinani Hanafi wrote that wiping the neck is an innovation.

Reference: Hidayah: 20/1-021

➑ Sprinkling water towards the private parts after ablution is a recommended act.

Reference: Sunan Nasai, Kitab al-Taharah, No: 135 – Sunan Ibn Majah, No: 461 – Al-Mishkat, No: 361 –

Al-Albani (may Allah have mercy on him) has declared it “authentic.”

➒ Ablution should be performed continuously without interruption.

Reference: Sunan Abu Dawood, Kitab al-Taharah, No: 175. Musnad Ahmad: 424/3.

➓ It is permissible to wash the parts of ablution one, two, or three times each.

Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Kitab al-Wudu, No: 159, 158, 157.

⓫ Washing more than three times is absolutely not permissible.

Reference: Sunan Nasai, Kitab al-Taharah, No: 14 – Sunan Ibn Majah, No: 422 – Sunan Abu Dawood, No: 135 –

Allama Albani (may Allah have mercy on him) has called it “good authentic.”

⓬ If a small part of the ablution area remains dry, ablution will not be valid. Sayyiduna Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) said:

“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ saw a man who performed ablution but a spot the size of a fingernail on his foot remained dry, so the Prophet ﷺ ordered him to repeat ablution and prayer.”

Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah, Kitab al-Taharah, No: 666 – Sahih Sunan Abi Dawood, No: 165 – Irwa al-Ghalil: 0127/1

⓭ Leaving any part of the ablution limbs dry is a cause of punishment. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ saw some people’s heels dry and said:

﴿ ويل للأعقاب من النار ﴾

Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Book of Ablution, No: 165 – Sahih Muslim, Book of Purification, No: 240.

“There is the punishment of fire for dry heels.”

● Wiping over the turban and bandage:

If a turban is tied on the head, wipe over it; in this case, start wiping from the forehead.

❀ It is in the Hadith:

“The Prophet ﷺ performed ablution and wiped his forehead and turban.”

Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Purification, No: 274/83.

❀ Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar رضي الله عنه narrates:

“If there is a bandage on a wound, then during ablution wipe over the bandage and dust around it.”

Reference: Al-Sunan al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi: 228/1, No: 1079.

● Wiping over socks and stockings:

❀ Sayyiduna Mughirah رضي الله عنه says:

﴿كنت مع النبى ﷺ فى سفر فأهويت لأنزع خفيه ، فقال: دعهما ، فإني أدخلتهما طاهرتين ” فمسح عليهما .﴾

Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Book of Ablution, No: 206.

“On a journey, I was with the Prophet ﷺ. When it was time for ablution, I wanted to remove both your socks. The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Let them be, I had put them on in a state of purity. Then you wiped over them.”

The author of “غاية المقصود” states:

“Scholars have differed regarding the ‘jawrabain’ whether they are made of skin and leather, or generally of wool and cotton? The author of Qamus has clarified this from ‘Lifafatu al-Rijl’. This interpretation, considering its generality, refers to the covering worn on the feet, whether that covering is made of skin and leather, or wool and cotton. Allama Tayyibi and Qadi Shawkani (may Allah have mercy on him) have restricted it to leather, and this is also the conclusion of Sheikh Abdul Haq Dehlawi’s writings. Imam Abu Bakr Ibn al-Arabi and Allama Ayni have specified that it is made of wool, and Shams al-A’immah al-Halwani has divided it into five types.”

This difference ﴿واللہ اعلم﴾ occurred because either the linguists gave different interpretations, or the form and type of socks varied in different regions; in some areas they were made of leather, in others of wool, and in some of all kinds. Each person explained it according to the form of socks found in their own regions, and some interpreted it according to the socks found in all regions, regardless of their type.

Reference: Ghayat al-Maqsood: 37,36/24.

❀ The author of Qamoos says:

“Anything that is worn on the foot is a sock.”

Reference: Al-Qamoos: 46/1.

The author of “Taj al-Arus” says:

“Anything worn on the foot like a cover is a sock.”

Reference: Taj al-Arus.

❀ Ibn al-Arabi al-Maliki writes:

“A sock is something made of wool to cover the foot.”

Reference: Aaridat al-Ahwazi.

It is written in “Umdat al-Ri’ayah” that socks are made of cotton, i.e., wool, and also made of hair.

Now observe those ahadith in which wiping over the socks is clearly mentioned, so that no excuse remains for anyone. Thus, Arzaq bin Qais says that I saw Sayyiduna Anas (RA) wiping over his woolen socks while performing wudu. I said:

Do you wipe over these as well? Then Sayyiduna Anas (RA) said:

These are also khuffain (light socks), but they are made of wool.

Reference: Al-Kuna wal Asma’ by Al-Dulabi: 18/1 – Al-Sunan al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi: 285/1.

Therefore, it is established that “jarab” refers to the garment worn on the feet, whether it is leather, cotton, or woolen, as Sayyiduna Anas (RA) explained.

The sayings of the Companions (رضی اللہ عنہم) are also authoritative in the interpretation of the Quran and understanding of the Sunnah, because these pure personalities were, firstly, well aware of the circumstances of the Quran’s revelation and the era of the Ahadith, and they were the primary addressees of the Quran and Sunnah. The occasions of revelation of the verses and the background of the Ahadith were known to them. Therefore, these people were well-informed about the meanings and implications of the Quran and Sunnah. Secondly, they had the honor of close companionship and association with the Holy Prophet ﷺ and were his students. Thirdly, most of them were of pure Arab origin and lineage. It is evident that the direct disciples of the Prophet of Mercy ﷺ were far richer in the wealth of understanding the Quran and Sunnah than the rest of the Ummah. Accordingly, their sayings and actions have rightly been accepted as a fundamental source for the interpretation of the Quran and explanation of the Hadith and Sunnah. And in reality, this is Islamic jurisprudence. We have been commanded to follow this, not to follow the opinions of men. Thus, the Almighty Allah says:

﴿فَاِنْ اٰمَنُوْا بِمِثْلِ مَاۤ اٰمَنْتُمْ بِهٖ فَقَدِ اهْتَدَوْاۚ-وَ اِنْ تَوَلَّوْا فَاِنَّمَا هُمْ فِیْ شِقَاقٍۚ﴾

Reference: ﴿Al-Baqarah: 137﴾

“So if they come to faith like you, then they have come to the right path, and if they turn away from the truth, then they have come to opposition and enmity.”

❀ And the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“The person among you who lives after me will see much disagreement. So adhere to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided Caliphs, and hold firmly to it. Avoid newly invented matters, for every innovation is a bid’ah, and every bid’ah is misguidance.”

Reference: Sunan Abu Dawood, Kitab al-Sunnah, No: 4607 – Sunan Ibn Majah, No: 42 – Sunan Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Ilm, No: 2676 – Sunan Darimi, Introduction, No: 95 – Mustadrak Hakim: 97099/1.

Imam Hakim and Muhaddith Albani have declared it “Sahih.”

❀ Hafiz Ibn Kathir has written:

When we do not find an interpretation (of any verse) in the Quran and Sunnah, then we will refer to the sayings of the Companions. Indeed, they understood it better because they observed the contexts and circumstances related to it, and because their understanding was complete, their knowledge correct, and their actions righteous.

So, who can know the sayings of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ better than the Companions? Therefore, wiping over the socks will be done.

❀ Hafiz Abdul Sattar Hamad Hazza Lillah writes:

Hazrat Anas, a companion and of Arab origin, explains the meaning of “khuff” that it is not only made of leather but includes anything that covers the foot. His explanation is very precise in terms of meaning because the word “jawrabain” in his view, linguistically and contextually, falls under the meaning of “khuffain,” and there is no disagreement about wiping over the khuffain. Therefore, there is no room for disagreement about wiping over socks. This narration of Hazrat Anas (RA) is transmitted through multiple chains, see:

Reference: Majalla Ibn Hazm: 85/2.

Additionally, in Hanafi jurisprudence, a condition of “thickness” is imposed on socks, but this condition is neither found in any dictionary nor narrated from any companion, although this is not definitive. So why do those who defend the companions’ love harbor hatred and resentment towards the understanding of the companions? Because the understanding of the companions is that “jawrab” refers to the garment worn on the foot, regardless of its type, thick or thin, there is no difference in this. فلیتدبر !

❀ And it is narrated from Syed Na Thubanؓ:

﴿أمرهم أن يمسحوا على العصائب والشساخين .﴾

Reference: Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Purification, Hadith No: 146 –

Sheikh Al-Albaniؒ has declared it “Sahih” (authentic).

“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ commanded the companions to wipe over their turbans and socks during ablution.”

● Benefit:

The word ﴿التساخين﴾ is derived from the root “S, Kh, N,” which means warming things, including socks and stockings.

Syedna Abu Musa Al-Ash’ariؓ says:

“Indeed, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ performed ablution and wiped over the socks and shoes.”

Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah, Book of Purification, Hadith No: 560 – Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith No: 148.

Muhaddith Albani has declared it “Sahih” (authentic).

● Evidence from the Companionsؓ for wiping over socks:

❀ Imam Abu Dawoodؒ says:

“Ali bin Abi Talib, Abu Mas’ud, Bara bin Azib, Anas bin Malik, Abu Umamah, Sahl bin Sa’d, and Amr bin Huraythؓ used to wipe over their socks, and similar narrations are also from Umar bin Khattab and Ibn Abbasؓ.”

Reference: Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Purification, under Hadith: 159 –

Allama Albani, may Allah have mercy on him, declared it Hasan Sahih (good and authentic).

Ibn Hazm (may Allah have mercy on him) mentioned wiping over socks from twelve companions (may Allah be pleased with them), including Abdullah bin Mas’ud, Sa’d bin Abi Waqqas, Abdullah bin Amr, and Abu Wa’il (may Allah be pleased with them).

Reference: Al-Muhalla: 613/1.

Imam Ibn al-Mundhir al-Naysaburi (may Allah have mercy on him) narrated that Amr bin Harith (may Allah be pleased with him) said:

﴿رأيت عليا بال ثم توضأ ومسح على الجوربين .﴾

Reference: Al-Awsat by Ibn al-Mundhir: 462/1 – Its chain of narration is authentic.

“I saw Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) urinate, perform ablution, and wipe over his socks.”

Similarly, Suhail bin Sa’d (may Allah be pleased with him) used to wipe over his socks.

Reference: Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 173/1.

Abu Umamah (may Allah be pleased with him) also used to wipe over his socks.

Reference: Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 188/1, Hadith number: 1979.

❀ Ibn al-Mundhir said:

Ishaq bin Rahwayh said:

“There is no disagreement among the companions on this issue.”

Reference: Al-Awsat by Ibn al-Mundhir: 04650464/1

Approximately the same statement was made by Ibn Hazm (may Allah have mercy on him).

Reference: Al-Muhalla by Ibn Hazm: 86/2, Issue number: 0212

Allama Ibn Qudamah (may Allah have mercy on him) wrote that there is consensus among the companions on the permissibility of wiping over socks.

Reference: Al-Mughni: 332/1, Issue number: 426.

Proof of wiping over socks from the Imams (may Allah have mercy on them)

Imam Abu Hanifah (may Allah have mercy on him):

It is remembered that Imam Abu Hanifa (may Allah have mercy on him) also, towards the end of his life, accepted wiping over the socks. That is, he reverted to it.

Reference: Al-Lubab: 0160/1

❀ Mulla Marghinani writes:

﴿وعنه أنه رجع إلى قولها وعليه الفتوى .﴾

Reference: Al-Hidayah: 061/1

“And it is narrated from the Imam that he reverted to the opinion of the two Sahibs (Imam Malik and Imam Abu Yusuf) and his fatwa is based on that.”

❀ It is narrated from Imam Tirmidhi (may Allah have mercy on him):

Saleh bin Muhammad Tirmidhi says that I heard from Abu Muqatil Samarqandi, who said:

I went to Imam Abu Hanifa when he was on his deathbed, so he asked for water and performed ablution, while he was wearing socks but not shoes, yet he wiped over the socks. Then he said:

“Today I have done something which I did not do before, that I wiped over the socks.”

Reference: Sunan Tirmidhi, Chapters of Purification, Chapter on wiping over the Khuffain and Tila’in, under Hadith number: 99.

Printed by Maktabat Al-Ma’arif for Publishing and Distribution, Riyadh.

When Imam Abu Hanifa (may Allah have mercy on him) retracted from his incorrect stance and performed wiping over the socks, did he impose any self-made condition? Consider that initially, the Imam was absolutely against wiping, and later he came to consider it absolutely permissible. However, when Hanafis, Malikis, Shafi’is in European countries, and especially in America are seen wiping over socks, those who oppose wiping try to strengthen their false religion by defining the nature of the socks themselves.

● Statement of Imam Tirmidhi (may Allah have mercy on him):

In this chapter, Imam Tirmidhi (may Allah have mercy on him) says:

“There are many scholars who permit wiping over socks, among them are Sufyan Thawri, Ibn Mubarak, Imam Shafi’i, Imam Ahmad, and Ishaq are notable.” (Reference mentioned)

● The school of Ibrahim Nakha’i (may Allah have mercy on him):

Imam Ibrahim Nakha’i (teacher of Imam Abu Hanifa) used to wipe over socks.

Reference: Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 188/1, Number: 1977.

● The belief of Ata bin Abi Rabah (may Allah have mercy on him):

Ata bin Abi Rabah, teacher of Imam Abu Hanifa and student of Ibn Abbas and Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with them), was a proponent of wiping over socks.

Reference: Al-Muhalla: 86/2.

● Saeed bin Jubair’s (RA) School of Thought:

Saeed bin Jubair (student of Ibn Abbas and Abu Hurairah (RA)) performed wiping over socks.

Reference: Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah.

❀ Imam Nawawi’s (RA) Statement:

Imam Nawawi (RA) also states, “As long as the socks remain on the feet, continue wiping over them.”

Reference: Al-Muhalla Ibn Hazm: 102/2.

Qazi Abu Yusuf and Imam Muhammad’s (RA) Statement:

Similarly, Imam Abu Hanifa’s students Qazi Abu Yusuf and Imam Muhammad bin Hasan Al-Shaybani were in favor of the permissibility of wiping over socks.

Reference: Hidayat al-Mujtahid, p. 65.

● Sheikh Ibn Baz’s (RA) Fatwa:

The Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Ibn Baz (RA), states in Fatawa Ibn Baz (46/1) that wiping over socks and socks is permissible.

● Wiping over Shoes:

Wiping over shoes is permissible. Accordingly, Sayyiduna Mughirah bin Shu’bah (RA) says:

“Indeed, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ performed ablution and wiped over socks and shoes.”

Reference: Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Purification, Hadith No: 159; Sunan Tirmidhi, Book of Purification, Hadith No: 99-

Allama Albani (may Allah have mercy on him) authenticated it as “Sahih.”

And Sayyiduna Abu al-Ash’ari (RA) narrates:

Undoubtedly, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ performed ablution and wiped over the shoes and socks.

Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah, Kitab al-Taharah, Hadith No: 05600

Allama Albani (may Allah have mercy on him) has declared it “Sahih” (authentic).

● Method of wiping:

The method of wiping is to wet the hands with water and wipe over the upper part of the feet. Sayyiduna Mughirah bin Shu’bah (may Allah be pleased with him) says:

I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ wiping over the visible part on top of the socks.

Reference: Sunan Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Taharah, Hadith No: 98 – Sunan Abu Dawood, Kitab al-Taharah, Hadith No: 161

Allama Albani (may Allah have mercy on him) has graded it “Hasan Sahih” (good and authentic).

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) that “If religion were based solely on human opinion, then wiping over the lower part of the feet in wiping over the two leather socks would have been done, and it would have been more correct to wipe over the visible part of the feet. However, I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ wiping over the visible part on top of the socks.”

Reference: Al-Kafi by Ibn Qudamah: 80/1

● Duration of wiping:

❀ Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) says:

﴿جعل رسول الله ثلاثة أيام ولياليهن للمسافر، ويوما وليلة للمقيم﴾

Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Purification, No: 276.

The Prophet ﷺ prescribed wiping for three days and nights for a traveler and one day and night for a resident.

The duration of wiping is counted from the first wiping.

Reference: Al-Kafi by Ibn Qudamah: 1/80.

If one starts traveling wearing socks and stockings, then wipe for the duration prescribed for a traveler, and if wiping was started during travel but one returns home, then wipe for the duration prescribed for a resident, meaning if the time exceeds the resident’s duration while wiping, then do not wipe.

● Ruling on wiping in the state of Janabah:

Being in a state of Janabah ends the duration of wiping. Sayyidna Safwan bin Assal رضي الله عنه says:

﴿كان رسول الله ﷺ يأمرنا إذا كنا سفرا أن لا تنزع خفافنا ثلاثة أيام ولياليهن إلا من جنابة ، ولكن من غائط وبول ونوم .﴾

Reference: Sunan Tirmidhi, Chapters of Purification, No: 96 – Sunan Nasa’i, Book of Purification, No: 127 – Sunan Ibn Majah, No: 478 – Irwa’ al-Ghalil, No: 104 –

Allama Albani رحمه الله said it is “Hasan” (good).

The Prophet ﷺ used to command us that during travel we should not remove our socks for three days and nights due to defecation, urination, and sleep, but in the state of Janabah, they must be removed.

● Nullifiers of Wudu:

The matters that nullify ablution are as follows:

➊ Urination and defecation.

Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Book of Ablution, No: 203.

➋ Passing of wind.

Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Book of Ablution, No: 137.

➌ Emission of pre-seminal fluid (Mazi).

Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Book of Bathing, No: 269.

➍ Deep sleep that occurs while lying down or leaning. However, if one is just dozing while sitting, ablution is not broken by dozing.

Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Book of Ablution, No: 192; Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Purification, No: 203.

➎ Touching the private parts without clothes.

Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah, Book of Purification, No: 481, 479 – Sahih Ibn Hibban, No: 1118. Ibn Hibban and Allama Albani have declared it “Sahih”. Also see Sahih Abu Dawood, No: 174 – Arwa Al-Ghaleel, No: 116.

➏ Istihadah, i.e., the blood that comes due to illness other than menstruation.

Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Book of Ablution, No: 228.

➐ Eating camel meat.

Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Menstruation, No: 360; Sahih Abu Dawood, No: 177 – Sunan Ibn Majah, No: 495, 494.

● Things that do not break ablution:

➊ Nosebleed and vomiting. And the narration in which it is stated that ablution is broken by vomiting or nosebleed has been declared weak by Imam Ahmad and other hadith scholars. Muhaddith Albani has also declared it weak.

Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah, Book of Purification, Hadith No: 1221 – Commentary on Sabil al-Salam.

➋ Bleeding from any part of the body other than the private parts does not break ablution. When Sayyiduna Umar (RA) was wounded, he continued to pray in that condition even though blood was flowing from his body.

Reference: Muwatta Malik, Book of Purification, Chapter on the ruling for one who has blood due to injury or nosebleed: 1/39 – Al-Sunan al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi: 357/1.

➌ Light sleep, i.e., dozing off without complete loss of consciousness, for example, falling asleep while standing or sitting.

Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Book of Prayer Times, Hadith No: 0566

➍ Laughing loudly does not break ablution. The narration that mentions ablution being broken by loud laughter has been declared weak by Imam Dar Qutni.

Reference: Al-Sunan al-Dar Qutni: 379/1, Dar al-Ma’arifah Beirut edition.