Increasing or Decreasing in Wudu – Prophetic Guidance and Ruling

Ruling on Decreasing or Increasing in Wudu – In the Light of Hadith


Source: Ahkam wa Masail – Chapter: Issues of Purification, Vol. 1, p. 86

Question​

The Prophet ﷺ said in a hadith: “Whoever decreases or increases (in wudu) has done wrong.”
In another narration, it is mentioned: “He has done evil.”


What is meant by decreasing and increasing in wudu? Please explain.

Answer​

Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ‘ala Rasulillah, amma ba’d!

1. Increasing in Wudu​

• Washing the limbs more than three times during wudu is sinful.
• This ruling is established from authentic ahadith.

2. Decreasing in Wudu​

• If a person washes the limbs less than three times, the hadith does not explicitly state that it is a sin.
• Washing each limb three times is Sunnah,
• Washing less than three times is a deficiency in Sunnah, but it is not clearly declared sinful in the hadith.

Summary:

• Three times: Sunnah and complete wudu.
• More than three times: Prohibited and sinful.
• Less than three times: Not sinful in explicit wording of hadith, but against the Sunnah.

ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب