The Ruling on Saying 'Bismillah' Before Wudu (Ablution) Source:
This article is derived from the book 500 Questions & Answers for Women, a compilation of Fatawa by the Scholars of the Haramain. Translated by Hafiz Abdullah Saleem.
❖ Question:
Is it obligatory to say “Bismillah” before performing wudu (ablution)?
❖ Answer:
Saying “Bismillah” at the beginning of wudu is not obligatory, but rather it is a Sunnah (recommended practice).
❖ Reason for It Being Sunnah, Not Wājib:
The Hadith that mentions the obligation of saying “Bismillah” at the start of wudu is not conclusively authentic.
➤ Imām Aḥmad رحمه الله said:
“No hadith in this chapter is established as authentic.”
(i.e., regarding the obligation of saying “Bismillah” at the beginning of wudu)
Imām Aḥmad is known to be one of the leading scholars and preservers of Hadith. Therefore, when he affirms the absence of an authentic narration in this matter, there remains doubt regarding the reliability of the hadith that imposes this obligation.
Hence, one should be cautious in declaring something obligatory upon people when there is no authentic evidence from the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم to support it.
Therefore, the correct view according to this analysis is that:Saying “Bismillah” before wudu is Sunnah—not an obligation.
❖ What if One Accepts the Hadith as Authentic?
If a person believes that the hadith about the obligation of saying “Bismillah” is authentic, then it is valid for them to follow that view and consider saying “Bismillah” as obligatory.
This is because the hadith includes the wording:
“لَا وُضُوءَ لِمَنْ لَمْ يَذْكُرِ اسْمَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ”
“There is no wudu for the one who does not mention the Name of Allah upon it.”
➤ The wording “no wudu” may imply negation of validity (i.e., the wudu is not valid), rather than mere negation of completeness (i.e., the wudu is valid but lacking in reward).
❖ Summary:
✔ Saying “Bismillah” at the start of wudu is Sunnah, not obligatory.
✔ There is no authentic hadith that firmly establishes it as an obligation.
✔ However, if someone accepts the narration about its obligation as authentic, then it is permissible for them to follow that view.
✔ As a general rule, we should not impose obligations upon people unless there is clear, authentic evidence from the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.
(Fatwa by: Shaykh Muḥammad ibn Ṣāliḥ al-‘Uthaymīn رحمه الله)