Some Verdicts On Wudu'

  • If a person performs ablution then goes to prayer, is his prayer invalidated in case he feels as if something (i.e. urine) were dripping from him? Mere feeling based on doubt does not invalidate prayer, so he should not interrupt his prayer.

    If a person performs ablution then goes to prayer, is his prayer invalidated in case he feels as if something (i.e. urine) were dripping from him? Mere feeling based on doubt does not invalidate prayer, so he should not interrupt his prayer. “The Prophet ( s) was asked about a man who feels something occurring to him during his prayer, and he answered: ‘He should not leave his prayer unless he hears a sound or smells a scent.” (Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and Ahmad)

    However, if he is sure that drops of urine are really passed from his penis, his wudu’ will be invalidated and he is required to wash the urine, unless he is incontinent of urine (then his prayer would not be invalidated if he does what is due from him. (Fatawa Kubra, P.281, The Book of Purification)

  • If a man kisses or hugs his wife and consequently passes pre-seminal fluid, is he required to re-perform wudu’ or not? His wudu’ becomes invalidated. He should clean his private (sexual) organs and perform wudu’. (Fatawa Kubra, P.294, The Book of Purification)

  • If pus is continually coming out from a man’s penis, would his prayer be still valid?

    A He must not stop his prayer, but he prays as is possible for him. If the flow of pus does not stop for a time enough for wudu’ SOME 02 Mere feeling based on doubt does not invalidate prayer, so he should not interrupt his prayer. 35 SOME VERDICTS ON WUDU’ and prayer, he should perform his prayer even if the pus keeps coming out. However, he should use some protection (like a guaze or even a diaper if needed) that prevents the pus from spreading. (Fatawa Kubra, P. 310, The Book of Purification)

  • Is the ritual bath (ghusl) enough so that you can do without wudu’?

    If one is required to have a ritual bath, he would be advised to perform wudu’ beforehand. Thus he performs a complete wudu’, then has the bath thereafter. When he completes his bath he, is not required to repeat wudu’. But if he performs the ritual bath (ghusl) only (without wudu’), observing the sequence of wudu’ organs it would be sufficient for him and the wudu’ is not necessary. (Islamic verdict by a group of scholars p1/191)

The area to be wiped


The upper surface of the socks should be wiped, as the Prophet ( s ) did this. Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, said:

“Had religion been based on personal opinion, then wiping over the bottom surface of the socks would have been more If the flow of pus does not stop for a time enough for wudu’ and prayer, he should perform his prayer even if the pus keeps coming out. If one is required to have a ritual bath, he would be advised to perform wudu’ beforehand. 36 THE PURITY appropriate. I saw Allah’s Messenger wipe over the top of his leather socks.” (Abu Daud and Tabrani)

Wiping over socks


The upper surface of the socks should be wiped, as the Prophet did this. Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “I saw Allah’s ( s ) Messenger pass urine then perform wudu’ and wipe over his Khuff (socks).” (Agreed upon).” (Abu Dawood)

To perform ablution then put on your socks and wipe over them for the consequent ablutions would be better than putting them on without ablution and taking them off thereafter for the next ablution. Al-Mughirah ibn Shu’bah said: “I was with Allah’s Messenger ( s ) on a journey. I intended to take his leather socks off but he said: ‘Leave them for I put them on after performing wudu’,’ and he wiped over them.” (Agreed upon)

DESCRIPTION OF WIPING OVER SOCKS


Having put on clean socks after performing ablution, a Muslim can wipe them with water, instead of taking them off and washing his feet. He should pass his wet right hand over his right foot from the toes to the leg, then his wet left hand over the left foot likewise. Al-Mughirah ibn Shu’bah, may Allah be pleased with him, described the Prophet’s wudu’ saying: “Then he performed wudu’ and wiped over the socks placing his right hand on his right sock and his left hand on his left sock, then wiped their top surface once as if I am looking at the traces of his fingers on the socks now.”

Prereuiesties for wiping over sockes


  • The leather socks and the like should be put on after performing wudu’. This is based on the aforesaid tradition of Al-Mughirah.
  • Boots or socks must be clean from filth. If they are impure or filthy they cannot be used (for wiping or prayer). “Allah’s Messenger ( s ) one day led his Companions in prayer wearing his shoes. During the prayer, he took off his shoes because Jibril (Gabriel) had told him that his shoes were not clean.” (Abu Daud)
  • Wiping over leather socks and the like applies only in case of wudu’, not in case of ritual bath (ghusl). Safwan ibn Assal said: “Allah’s Messenger ( s )told us to keep wearing our socks while on travel for three days and nights except in case of major ritual impurity (Janabah). Only in case of urinating, defecating and sleeping (we can wipe over them).” (Ahmad, Tirmidhi and Nasai)
  • Wiping over socks must be within the prescribed time limit, which is one day and night for residents and three days and nights for travelers. Ali ibn Abi Talib asked about the time limit for wiping (over boots) and the Prophet’s answer was: “For a person traveling: Three days and three nights; for a resident: one day and one night.” (Muslim & others)
  • Socks must cover the area of the feet as required to be washed (up to the ankle).

Time Limit


  • Three days and nights for a traveler, and one day and night for a resident based on Ali’s tradition mentioned earlier.
  • The period starts as from the first wiping after minor ritual impurity (hadath) (based on the strongest verdict of scholars) and ends after the elapse of 24 hours for the resident and 72 hours for the traveler.

Things that terninate the validity of wiping


  • Major ritual impurity (janabah), based on the fore mentioned tradition narrated by Safwan.
  • Expiry of the prescribed wiping duration (That is, one day and night for residents, and three days and nights for travelers), as stated in the tradition narrated by Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him).
  • Taking off both or either of the socks.