❀ Five Rulings on Saying “Bismillah” at the Start of Wudu in Light of Qur’an and Sunnah ❀
From: Fatāwā al-Dīn al-Khāliṣ, Vol. 1, p. 355
In what words should “tasmiyah” (saying Bismillah) be recited at the beginning of wudu?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. To proceed:
Source: Ibn al-Sunnī, ʿAmal al-Yawm wa al-Laylah, ḥadīth no. 27
Anas (رضي الله عنه) narrated that a man among the companions requested water for wudu. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Do any of you have water?”
Then the Prophet ﷺ placed his hand in the vessel and said:
“Perform wudu by saying: Bismillah.”
Anas (رضي الله عنه) reports:
“I saw water flowing from between his fingers until all had completed their wudu.”
When asked about the number present, Anas (رضي الله عنه) estimated:
“About seventy individuals.”
Chapter heading: “What is the nature of tasmiyah at the beginning of wudu?”
Other sources: Al-Nasāʾī (1/18, ḥadīth 76), Al-Bayhaqī (1/43), Al-Dāraqutnī (1/71)
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“O Abū Hurayrah! When you begin your wudu, say: Bismillah wal-ḥamdu lillāh. Your guardian angels will continue recording good deeds for you until your wudu is broken.”
Sources: Ṭabarānī al-Ṣaghīr (ḥadīth 73), Majmaʿ al-Zawāʾid by al-Haythamī (1/220)
Authenticity: This ḥadīth has been classified as ḥasan.
It is also recorded in: Radd al-Muḥtār (1/74)
Some scholars state that most aḥādīth in this chapter are muʿallal (contain hidden defects), and none are free from criticism in terms of their chains.
Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar (رحمه الله) said:
“The collective chain of these narrations produces enough strength to establish the original legitimacy of tasmiyah at the start of wudu.”
In Ḥujjatullāh al-Bālighah, he writes:
“The narration of Abū Hurayrah is a textual proof that tasmiyah is either a pillar (rukn) or a condition (sharṭ) of wudu.”
Source: Maṭālib ʿĀliyah by Ibn Ḥajar (1/25, ḥadīth 81)
The Prophet ﷺ is reported to have said:
“O ʿAlī! When you perform wudu, say: ‘In the name of Allah. O Allah! I ask You to complete this wudu, and the prayer, for Your pleasure and forgiveness. This is the zakah of wudu.’”
Note:
This narration is reported by al-Ḥārith, whose narrations are considered severely weak (shadīd al-ḍuʿf).
Islamic jurists have stated:
“The one performing wudu should begin with tasmiyah, and this is fulfilled by any form of dhikr.”
A statement from the Prophet ﷺ is reported:
“Bismillāh al-ʿAẓīm, wa al-ḥamdu lillāh ʿalā dīn al-Islām.”
Source: Radd al-Muḥtār
➡ However, the chain and original source of this narration are unclear, and its authenticity requires verification.
Some narrations have included taʿawwudh (seeking refuge in Allah) along with tasmiyah, though these additions are not supported by authentic chains and have been cited without verification in related sources.
✿ The Sunnah is to say either:
“Bismillah” or “Bismillāh al-Raḥmān al-Raḥīm” at the beginning of wudu.
✔ Any other wording lacks a sound, authentic chain and is not established as part of the Sunnah.
“Tasmiyah” refers specifically to saying:
“Bismillah”
➡ It has no substitute, just as is the case with tasmiyah in slaughter (dhabah).
Saying something else in its place does not fulfill the requirement.
هٰذَا مَا عِندِي، وَاللهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
This is what I hold to be correct, and Allah knows best.
From: Fatāwā al-Dīn al-Khāliṣ, Vol. 1, p. 355
❖ Question:
In what words should “tasmiyah” (saying Bismillah) be recited at the beginning of wudu?
✔ Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. To proceed:
◈ Tasmiyah at the Beginning of Wudu: Based on Prophetic Sunnah
➊ First Ḥadīth – Narrated by Anas ibn Mālik (رضي الله عنه)
Source: Ibn al-Sunnī, ʿAmal al-Yawm wa al-Laylah, ḥadīth no. 27
Anas (رضي الله عنه) narrated that a man among the companions requested water for wudu. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Do any of you have water?”
Then the Prophet ﷺ placed his hand in the vessel and said:
“Perform wudu by saying: Bismillah.”
Anas (رضي الله عنه) reports:
“I saw water flowing from between his fingers until all had completed their wudu.”
When asked about the number present, Anas (رضي الله عنه) estimated:
“About seventy individuals.”
Chapter heading: “What is the nature of tasmiyah at the beginning of wudu?”
Other sources: Al-Nasāʾī (1/18, ḥadīth 76), Al-Bayhaqī (1/43), Al-Dāraqutnī (1/71)
➋ Second Ḥadīth – Narrated by Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه)
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“O Abū Hurayrah! When you begin your wudu, say: Bismillah wal-ḥamdu lillāh. Your guardian angels will continue recording good deeds for you until your wudu is broken.”
Sources: Ṭabarānī al-Ṣaghīr (ḥadīth 73), Majmaʿ al-Zawāʾid by al-Haythamī (1/220)
Authenticity: This ḥadīth has been classified as ḥasan.
It is also recorded in: Radd al-Muḥtār (1/74)
◈ Discussion on Authenticity of These Aḥādīth
Some scholars state that most aḥādīth in this chapter are muʿallal (contain hidden defects), and none are free from criticism in terms of their chains.
- The first narration is ṣaḥīḥ in chain but not explicit in stating a binding command.
- Tuhfat al-Aḥwadhī (1/37) clarifies:
“The narrations of this chapter are either explicitly ḥasan or non-explicitly ṣaḥīḥ.”
◈ Combined Strength of Aḥādīth
Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Ḥajar (رحمه الله) said:
“The collective chain of these narrations produces enough strength to establish the original legitimacy of tasmiyah at the start of wudu.”
◈ Position of Shah Walīullāh al-Dihlawī (رحمه الله)
In Ḥujjatullāh al-Bālighah, he writes:
“The narration of Abū Hurayrah is a textual proof that tasmiyah is either a pillar (rukn) or a condition (sharṭ) of wudu.”
➌ A Weak Narration – Reported by ʿAlī (رضي الله عنه)
Source: Maṭālib ʿĀliyah by Ibn Ḥajar (1/25, ḥadīth 81)
The Prophet ﷺ is reported to have said:
“O ʿAlī! When you perform wudu, say: ‘In the name of Allah. O Allah! I ask You to complete this wudu, and the prayer, for Your pleasure and forgiveness. This is the zakah of wudu.’”
Note:
This narration is reported by al-Ḥārith, whose narrations are considered severely weak (shadīd al-ḍuʿf).
◈ Juristic Views
Islamic jurists have stated:
“The one performing wudu should begin with tasmiyah, and this is fulfilled by any form of dhikr.”
A statement from the Prophet ﷺ is reported:
“Bismillāh al-ʿAẓīm, wa al-ḥamdu lillāh ʿalā dīn al-Islām.”
Source: Radd al-Muḥtār
➡ However, the chain and original source of this narration are unclear, and its authenticity requires verification.
◈ Narrations Including Taʿawwudh (Aʿūdhu Billāh...)
Some narrations have included taʿawwudh (seeking refuge in Allah) along with tasmiyah, though these additions are not supported by authentic chains and have been cited without verification in related sources.
✔ Summary of the Ruling
✿ The Sunnah is to say either:
“Bismillah” or “Bismillāh al-Raḥmān al-Raḥīm” at the beginning of wudu.
✔ Any other wording lacks a sound, authentic chain and is not established as part of the Sunnah.
◈ What Is Meant by Tasmiyah?
“Tasmiyah” refers specifically to saying:
“Bismillah”
➡ It has no substitute, just as is the case with tasmiyah in slaughter (dhabah).
Saying something else in its place does not fulfill the requirement.
هٰذَا مَا عِندِي، وَاللهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
This is what I hold to be correct, and Allah knows best.
