Method of Doing Khilal of the Beard in Wudu – Using Wet Hands or Fresh Water
Source: Ahkam wa Masail – Issues of Purification, Vol. 1, p. 80
During wudu, it is established that the face is washed three times, and the khilal (passing fingers through) of the beard is also mentioned.
Should the khilal be done with the same wet hand used for washing the face, or is it permissible to wet the hand a fourth time specifically for the khilal? Please explain with evidence.
Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ‘ala Rasulillah, amma ba’d!
Both methods are correct:
Both ways are according to the Sunnah and are permissible.
It is narrated:
«أَنَّ رَسُوْلَ اﷲِ ﷺ كَانَ إِذَا تَوَضَّأَ أَخَذَ كَفًّا مِنْ مَاءٍ فَأَدْخَلَهُ تَحْتَ حَنَكِهِ فَخَلَّلَ بِهِ لِحْيَتَهُ وَقَالَ: هٰكَذَا أَمَرَنِي رَبِّي عَزَّ وَجَلَّ»
(Abu Dawud – Kitab al-Taharah, Bab Takhlil al-Lihyah; al-Tirmidhi – Kitab al-Taharah, Bab Ma Ja’a fi Takhlil al-Lihyah)
Translation:
“When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ performed wudu, he would take a handful of water, insert it under his chin, and perform the khilal of his beard with it, saying: ‘My Lord, the Mighty and Majestic, has commanded me to do so.’”
✔ It is permissible to do the beard’s khilal with the wet hand used during face washing.
✔ It is also permissible to take fresh water a fourth time specifically for khilal.
✔ Both methods are established from the Sunnah, so either can be practiced.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
Source: Ahkam wa Masail – Issues of Purification, Vol. 1, p. 80
Question
During wudu, it is established that the face is washed three times, and the khilal (passing fingers through) of the beard is also mentioned.
Should the khilal be done with the same wet hand used for washing the face, or is it permissible to wet the hand a fourth time specifically for the khilal? Please explain with evidence.
Answer
Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ‘ala Rasulillah, amma ba’d!
Both methods are correct:
- One may do the khilal of the beard using the same wet hand used for washing the face.
- Or one may wet the hand a fourth time and then perform the khilal.
Both ways are according to the Sunnah and are permissible.
Evidence from Hadith
It is narrated:
«أَنَّ رَسُوْلَ اﷲِ ﷺ كَانَ إِذَا تَوَضَّأَ أَخَذَ كَفًّا مِنْ مَاءٍ فَأَدْخَلَهُ تَحْتَ حَنَكِهِ فَخَلَّلَ بِهِ لِحْيَتَهُ وَقَالَ: هٰكَذَا أَمَرَنِي رَبِّي عَزَّ وَجَلَّ»
(Abu Dawud – Kitab al-Taharah, Bab Takhlil al-Lihyah; al-Tirmidhi – Kitab al-Taharah, Bab Ma Ja’a fi Takhlil al-Lihyah)
Translation:
“When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ performed wudu, he would take a handful of water, insert it under his chin, and perform the khilal of his beard with it, saying: ‘My Lord, the Mighty and Majestic, has commanded me to do so.’”
Summary
✔ It is permissible to do the beard’s khilal with the wet hand used during face washing.
✔ It is also permissible to take fresh water a fourth time specifically for khilal.
✔ Both methods are established from the Sunnah, so either can be practiced.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
