Source: Ahkam wa Masail, Chapter on Taharah Issues, Vol. 1, p. 91
Does eating camel meat nullify wudu or not? Is rinsing the mouth (madhmadah) sufficient? Shaykh Ibn Baz رحمه الله and most scholars of Hijaz hold that it nullifies wudu. I recall that during our studies you mentioned it does not nullify wudu but only requires rinsing the mouth—if my memory serves me right. Could you clarify your position and ruling?
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʿammā baʿd:
Eating camel meat, whether raw or cooked, requires performing wudu afterwards. This is based on authentic narrations found in Sahih Muslim, Abu Dawud, and other reliable hadith collections, where the Prophet ﷺ explicitly commanded wudu after eating camel meat.
A man asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ:
“Should I perform wudu after eating goat meat?”
The Prophet ﷺ said: "If you wish."
Then he asked:
“Should I perform wudu after eating camel meat?”
The Prophet ﷺ replied: "Yes, perform wudu."
(Sahih Muslim – Kitab al-Hayd, Bab al-Wudu min Luhum al-Ibil)
Sometimes in lectures, I mention that one might argue:
"There is no explicit statement that camel meat nullifies wudu, only that the Prophet ﷺ commanded wudu after it."
In response:
Even if you say wudu is not technically "nullified," it is still mandatory to perform it after eating camel meat because the Prophet ﷺ explicitly commanded it. Therefore, whether or not one considers it as breaking wudu, the obligation remains to perform wudu afterwards.
Conclusion:
ھٰذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
Question:
Does eating camel meat nullify wudu or not? Is rinsing the mouth (madhmadah) sufficient? Shaykh Ibn Baz رحمه الله and most scholars of Hijaz hold that it nullifies wudu. I recall that during our studies you mentioned it does not nullify wudu but only requires rinsing the mouth—if my memory serves me right. Could you clarify your position and ruling?
Answer:
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʿammā baʿd:
Eating camel meat, whether raw or cooked, requires performing wudu afterwards. This is based on authentic narrations found in Sahih Muslim, Abu Dawud, and other reliable hadith collections, where the Prophet ﷺ explicitly commanded wudu after eating camel meat.
Evidence:
A man asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ:
“Should I perform wudu after eating goat meat?”
The Prophet ﷺ said: "If you wish."
Then he asked:
“Should I perform wudu after eating camel meat?”
The Prophet ﷺ replied: "Yes, perform wudu."
(Sahih Muslim – Kitab al-Hayd, Bab al-Wudu min Luhum al-Ibil)
Analysis:
- The Prophet ﷺ differentiated between goat meat and camel meat.
- Goat meat: optional wudu (istihbab).
- Camel meat: obligatory wudu (wujub).
- If it was merely recommended, the wording would have been the same for both, but the clear difference indicates obligation.
Clarification on the Statement:
Sometimes in lectures, I mention that one might argue:
"There is no explicit statement that camel meat nullifies wudu, only that the Prophet ﷺ commanded wudu after it."
In response:
Even if you say wudu is not technically "nullified," it is still mandatory to perform it after eating camel meat because the Prophet ﷺ explicitly commanded it. Therefore, whether or not one considers it as breaking wudu, the obligation remains to perform wudu afterwards.
Conclusion:
- Eating camel meat requires wudu — this is the stronger and correct opinion.
- The command of the Prophet ﷺ is decisive and binding.
ھٰذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
