6 Scholarly Views on Forgetting “Bismillah” During Wudu 
Source: Fatāwā al-Dīn al-Khāliṣ, Vol. 1, Page 392❖ Question:
If a person forgets to say “Bismillah” at the beginning of Wudu, can he say it later during Wudu once he remembers?
❖ Answer:
Praising Allah and invoking peace upon His Messenger ﷺ…
Saying “Bismillah” at the beginning of Wudu is highly emphasized and is part of the etiquette and remembrance (adhkār) related to purification.
It is not appropriate for a Muslim to deliberately omit it.
However, if one forgets to say it at the beginning, then as soon as he remembers—any time before completing Wudu—he should say it.
✿ 6 Key Scholarly Positions:
➊ Imam al-Shafi‘i (رحمه الله)
In al-Umm (1/31), he stated:
❝I prefer that a person begins his Wudu with the name of Allah.
If he forgets, then let him say it as soon as he remembers, even if during Wudu, before finishing.❞
✔ Saying Bismillah partway through Wudu is acceptable if done upon remembrance.
➋ Allāmah Ibn ‘Ābidīn (رحمه الله)
In Radd al-Muḥtār (1/47–75), he indicates agreement with the above principle, supporting the permissibility of saying Bismillah during Wudu if forgotten at the start.
➌ Analogy with Eating and Forgetting Bismillah
The example is given of food:
If one forgets to say Bismillah before eating and remembers even at the last morsel, he should say:
“بسم الله أوله وآخره”
(Tirmidhi, Abu Dawood, Mishkat 2/365)
This analogy highlights that remembering and correcting during the act is valid and legislated.➍ Imam Ibn Qudāmah & Imam Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal (رحمهما الله)
In al-Mughnī (1/1154):
Imam Abu Dawood asked Imam Ahmad:
❝What if someone forgets Bismillah during Wudu?❞
He replied:
❝I hope there is no sin in it.❞
Imam Ishaq held the same view: Forgetfulness is excused, and upon remembrance, one should say Bismillah.➎ Principle: Complete Forgetfulness is Forgiven — Partial Forgetfulness Even More So
If complete forgetfulness during Wudu is excused, then partial forgetfulness (i.e., remembering during the process) is even more likely to be excused.
➏ Statement of Shaykh al-Walīd al-Faraj
He stated:
❝If one says Bismillah during Wudu, it suffices.
Because he has mentioned the name of Allah over his Wudu.❞
He explains:
✔ The intended "tasmiyah" means saying “Bismillah”.
✔ No other phrase can replace it.
✔ It should ideally be said after making intention (niyyah) and before initiating the act of purification—just like saying Bismillah before slaughtering.
Conclusion:
◈ Forgetting to say Bismillah at the start of Wudu is excused.
◈ One should say it as soon as he remembers, even during Wudu.
◈ Multiple scholars support this view, based on hadith, analogy, and legal principles.
وَاللهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
