❖ Ruling on Splashing Water Forcefully on the Face During Wudhu: In Light of an Authentic Hadith ❖
Source: Fatāwā al-Dīn al-Khāliṣ, Volume 1, Page 356
Some jurists have stated that splashing water on the face during Wudhu is Makrūh (disliked). Is there any Shar‘i evidence to support this view?
All praise is due to Allah, and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
The claim that splashing water on the face during Wudhu is disliked (Makrūh) has been mentioned by some jurists. However, this statement contradicts authentic evidence, as there exists a sound narration which directly refutes this opinion.
In Sunan Abī Dāwūd (1/175), a narration is recorded with an authentic chain from ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنهما, who reported:
“ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib رضي الله عنه came to me while returning from relieving himself. He requested water for Wudhu.
We brought a container of water and placed it before him.
He said: ‘O Ibn ʿAbbās! Shall I not show you how the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to perform Wudhu?’
I said: ‘Certainly!’
So he poured water on his hand and washed it.
Then he dipped his right hand into the vessel and poured water onto the other hand.
Then he washed both hands.
Then he rinsed his mouth and sniffed water into his nose and blew it out.
Then he placed both hands into the water, took water, and splashed it onto his face...”
(Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 1/175)
✔ This narration clearly invalidates the opinion that splashing water on the face during Wudhu is Makrūh.
✔ The act was part of how the Prophet ﷺ himself performed Wudhu, as transmitted directly by ʿAlī رضي الله عنه.
❖ Thus, labeling it as disliked is a mistake, and such a ruling is contrary to the authentic Sunnah.
◈ Some issues in juristic texts are based purely on personal opinion or analogy, lacking any clear textual support.
◈ The foundation of religion is the Qur’an and the authentic Sunnah, not mere reasoning or inherited opinion.
◈ Where explicit actions of the Prophet ﷺ are established, any contrary juristic claim holds no weight.
✔ The Hadith narrated by ʿAlī رضي الله عنه, as authenticated in Sunan Abī Dāwūd, confirms that splashing water on the face during Wudhu was part of the Prophet’s ﷺ practice.
✔ Therefore, it is incorrect to declare it Makrūh (disliked) without evidence.
Hādha mā ʿindī, wallāhu aʿlam bis-ṣawāb.
Source: Fatāwā al-Dīn al-Khāliṣ, Volume 1, Page 356
❖ Question
Some jurists have stated that splashing water on the face during Wudhu is Makrūh (disliked). Is there any Shar‘i evidence to support this view?
❖ Answer
All praise is due to Allah, and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
✿ Clarifying the Issue
The claim that splashing water on the face during Wudhu is disliked (Makrūh) has been mentioned by some jurists. However, this statement contradicts authentic evidence, as there exists a sound narration which directly refutes this opinion.
✿ Clear Evidence from an Authentic Hadith
In Sunan Abī Dāwūd (1/175), a narration is recorded with an authentic chain from ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنهما, who reported:
“ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib رضي الله عنه came to me while returning from relieving himself. He requested water for Wudhu.
We brought a container of water and placed it before him.
He said: ‘O Ibn ʿAbbās! Shall I not show you how the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to perform Wudhu?’
I said: ‘Certainly!’
So he poured water on his hand and washed it.
Then he dipped his right hand into the vessel and poured water onto the other hand.
Then he washed both hands.
Then he rinsed his mouth and sniffed water into his nose and blew it out.
Then he placed both hands into the water, took water, and splashed it onto his face...”
(Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 1/175)
✿ Clear Implications from the Hadith
✔ This narration clearly invalidates the opinion that splashing water on the face during Wudhu is Makrūh.
✔ The act was part of how the Prophet ﷺ himself performed Wudhu, as transmitted directly by ʿAlī رضي الله عنه.
❖ Thus, labeling it as disliked is a mistake, and such a ruling is contrary to the authentic Sunnah.
✿ Key Points to Remember
◈ Some issues in juristic texts are based purely on personal opinion or analogy, lacking any clear textual support.
◈ The foundation of religion is the Qur’an and the authentic Sunnah, not mere reasoning or inherited opinion.
◈ Where explicit actions of the Prophet ﷺ are established, any contrary juristic claim holds no weight.
Conclusion
✔ The Hadith narrated by ʿAlī رضي الله عنه, as authenticated in Sunan Abī Dāwūd, confirms that splashing water on the face during Wudhu was part of the Prophet’s ﷺ practice.
✔ Therefore, it is incorrect to declare it Makrūh (disliked) without evidence.
Hādha mā ʿindī, wallāhu aʿlam bis-ṣawāb.
