Source: Fatāwā ʿUlamāʾ-e-Ḥadīth, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Volume 1
Question:
How long does it normally take to complete wudūʾ? I usually finish mine in 1–2 minutes, but a friend of mine—who prays regularly and is very cleanliness-conscious—takes 10 minutes or more for each wudūʾ. When I asked him, he said, “One must feel satisfied.” I responded that taking this long and wasting water is inappropriate. Is my opinion correct?
Your opinion is absolutely correct.
Wudūʾ is generally completed within 1 to 2 minutes. If a person consistently takes 10 minutes or more, this is usually a sign of baseless doubts (waswasah). Frequently repeating actions to feel “satisfied” stems from unnecessary habits, not from the Sunnah.
The purpose of wudūʾ is to attain physical and spiritual purity for prayer.
Spending excessive time in wudūʾ without need constitutes wastage of time, which is a valuable divine blessing.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Be moderate in using water—even if you are beside a flowing river."
(Musnad Aḥmad)
This narration clearly instructs moderation and condemns extravagance, even when water is abundant.
Waswasah (baseless doubts) is a known trick of Shayṭān to hinder and disturb a believer's worship.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Whisperings in wudūʾ are from Shayṭān, so avoid them."
Such people fall prey to unnecessary repetition, which disrupts their focus and causes anxiety.
People who excessively repeat wudūʾ steps may be suffering from obsessive thoughts (waswasah). They should:
➤ Consult a qualified scholar or medical expert.
➤ Perform wudūʾ in accordance with the Sunnah and develop balance in practice.
➤ Have conviction that washing each limb once, as the Prophet ﷺ taught, is sufficient.
✔ The Prophet ﷺ washed each limb once, twice, or three times—no more.
✔ Avoid excessive repetitions.
✔ Perform wudūʾ with ease and balance.
➊ Avoid unnecessary delays and water wastage in wudūʾ.
➋ Don’t allow baseless “satisfaction” to open the door to waswasah.
➌ Follow the Sunnah method of wudūʾ and value the blessings of time and water.
والله أعلم بالصواب
Question:
How long does it normally take to complete wudūʾ? I usually finish mine in 1–2 minutes, but a friend of mine—who prays regularly and is very cleanliness-conscious—takes 10 minutes or more for each wudūʾ. When I asked him, he said, “One must feel satisfied.” I responded that taking this long and wasting water is inappropriate. Is my opinion correct?
❖ Ruling:
Your opinion is absolutely correct.
Wudūʾ is generally completed within 1 to 2 minutes. If a person consistently takes 10 minutes or more, this is usually a sign of baseless doubts (waswasah). Frequently repeating actions to feel “satisfied” stems from unnecessary habits, not from the Sunnah.
✿ Wasting Time and Water in Wudūʾ – Islamic Perspective
✔ Wasting Time:
The purpose of wudūʾ is to attain physical and spiritual purity for prayer.
Spending excessive time in wudūʾ without need constitutes wastage of time, which is a valuable divine blessing.
✔ Wastage of Water:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Be moderate in using water—even if you are beside a flowing river."
(Musnad Aḥmad)
This narration clearly instructs moderation and condemns extravagance, even when water is abundant.
❖ Whisperings (Waswasah) and Doubts
Waswasah (baseless doubts) is a known trick of Shayṭān to hinder and disturb a believer's worship.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Whisperings in wudūʾ are from Shayṭān, so avoid them."
Such people fall prey to unnecessary repetition, which disrupts their focus and causes anxiety.
✿ Understanding and Treating Obsessive Behavior
People who excessively repeat wudūʾ steps may be suffering from obsessive thoughts (waswasah). They should:
➤ Consult a qualified scholar or medical expert.
➤ Perform wudūʾ in accordance with the Sunnah and develop balance in practice.
➤ Have conviction that washing each limb once, as the Prophet ﷺ taught, is sufficient.
❖ Sunnah Method of Performing Wudūʾ
✔ The Prophet ﷺ washed each limb once, twice, or three times—no more.
✔ Avoid excessive repetitions.
✔ Perform wudūʾ with ease and balance.
❖ Conclusion: Respect the Blessings of Time and Water
➊ Avoid unnecessary delays and water wastage in wudūʾ.
➋ Don’t allow baseless “satisfaction” to open the door to waswasah.
➌ Follow the Sunnah method of wudūʾ and value the blessings of time and water.
والله أعلم بالصواب
