Ruling on Forgetting to Wash a Limb During Wudu – Complete Shar‘i Guidance

Source: Fatawa Arkan al-Islam

Question:​

What is the Shar‘i ruling if a person forgets to wash a limb during wudu?

Answer:​

Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh. Ammā baʿd!

① If Remembered Immediately​

• If a person realises during wudu, or right after completing it, that a limb was left unwashed:
  
  • He must wash that limb.
  • Then he must re-wash all subsequent limbs in order.

Example:

• Washed right arm.
• Forgot to wash the left arm.
• Performed masah over head and ears.
• Washed both feet.
• Then remembered the left arm was not washed.

He must now:

1. Wash the left arm.
2. Repeat masah over head and ears.
3. Wash both feet again.

Reason:
Maintaining the correct order (tartīb) is obligatory, as per the Qur’anic verse:


﴿فَاغسِلوا وُجوهَكُم وَأَيدِيَكُم إِلَى المَرافِقِ وَامسَحوا بِرُءوسِكُم وَأَرجُلَكُم إِلَى الكَعبَينِ﴾ (Al-Ma’idah: 6)

② If Remembered After a Long Gap​

• If a long period passes before remembering, the entire wudu must be repeated from the start.

Example:

• Performed wudu but forgot to wash the left arm.
• Left the place, and much later remembered.
• First wudu is invalid — a fresh wudu is required.

Reason:
Muwālāt (continuity between washing the limbs) is a condition for valid wudu. A long break breaks this condition.

③ If There is Mere Doubt​

• If there is only doubt (no certainty) about whether a limb was washed, then:
  
  • Ignore the doubt.
  • Continue the prayer without interruption.

Example:

• After wudu, one doubts whether he washed the left arm or rinsed the mouth.
• This doubt is ignored and does not affect wudu or prayer.

Reason:
In Shari‘ah, doubt that arises after completing an act of worship is not considered. Accepting such doubts opens the door to constant whispers (waswasah).


However:

• If there is certainty a limb was left unwashed, it must be made up immediately, as explained above.

Summary:​

① Immediate remembrance: Wash the missed limb and repeat all after it.
② Long delay: Restart the entire wudu.
③ Mere doubt after completion: Ignore it.


ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب