Source: Fatawa Arkan al-Islam
◈ In Arabic, jabirah refers to something used to bind and support a broken bone.
◈ According to the jurists, jabirah includes anything applied to a body part (that requires purification) out of necessity, such as:
✿ A plaster cast placed over a broken bone.
✿ A bandage wrapped over an injured or painful area.
✔ If there is a wound covered with a bandage, it is not necessary to wash it; rather, wiping over it is permissible.
Example:
If someone has a wound covered with a bandage during wudu, then:
✔ If a person performed wudu and wiped over the bandage, then later removed it:
➊ Wound uncovered, washing causes no harm:
➋ Wound uncovered, washing causes harm but wiping is possible:
➌ Wound covered with a bandage or plaster:
ھذا ما عندي واللہ أعلم بالصواب
Definition of Jabirah (Bandage)
◈ In Arabic, jabirah refers to something used to bind and support a broken bone.
◈ According to the jurists, jabirah includes anything applied to a body part (that requires purification) out of necessity, such as:
✿ A plaster cast placed over a broken bone.
✿ A bandage wrapped over an injured or painful area.
Ruling on Wiping over a Bandage
✔ If there is a wound covered with a bandage, it is not necessary to wash it; rather, wiping over it is permissible.
Example:
If someone has a wound covered with a bandage during wudu, then:
- Instead of washing that area, he will wipe over the bandage.
- This will complete his purification (taharah) in a valid manner.
Ruling after Removing the Bandage
✔ If a person performed wudu and wiped over the bandage, then later removed it:
- His taharah remains valid.
- This is because the purification was completed in accordance with Shar‘i principles.
- There is no evidence proving that removing the bandage invalidates wudu or taharah.
Hadith Review
- The narrations regarding wiping over a bandage are all weak (da‘if).
- Some scholars say: Although weak individually, taken together they can be used as supporting evidence.
- Others maintain: Weak narrations cannot be used as proof.
Scholarly Differences
- Some scholars say: The obligation to wash that area is waived, as it cannot be washed.
- Some say: Tayammum alone is sufficient, and wiping is not necessary.
Stronger (Rajih) Opinion
- The stronger view is that wiping over the bandage is permissible and suffices, removing the need for tayammum.
- If wiping is done, tayammum is not required.
Three Possible Scenarios for a Wound and Their Rulings
➊ Wound uncovered, washing causes no harm:
- Washing is obligatory if it is a body part normally washed in purification.
➋ Wound uncovered, washing causes harm but wiping is possible:
- Wiping is obligatory.
- Washing is not required.
➌ Wound covered with a bandage or plaster:
- Wiping over it is sufficient.
- This wiping removes the need for both washing and tayammum.
ھذا ما عندي واللہ أعلم بالصواب
