Prerequisites (shurut) of ablution

Prerequisites for validity of ablution

Ablution is only valid, and desired benefit can be obtained, only when the following conditions are met.

Validity Prerequisites: For Wudü to count,

1. water must reach the skin entirely, of the entire limb.
   • even if a minute part is missed or water does not drip off the limbs then the water is invalid
2. any physical barrier like dried dough, wax, or thick layers of Vaseline must be removed.
   • there should be nothing on the skin that prevents water from reaching the it
   • any dried liquid that dries up out side the eye must also be removed, however, if it’s within the eye it’s not obligatory to be removed
3. furthermore, no invalidating acts (like passing wind) can occur during the process.

Prerequisites (shurut) for ablution to become essential

Ablution is essential only when the following conditions are present:

1. Adulthood: Ablution is not essential for a child.
   • must be bulugh
2. Sanity: Ablution is not essential for an insane person.
   • not obligatory for majnun
3. Islam: Ablution is not essential for a disbeliever.
   • must be muslim
4. The ability and the capacity of using water to wash and wipe all the neccessary limbs
   • Having at one’s disposal the (sufficient) amount of water which would be sufficient for washing and wiping all relevant body-organs
   • If he is not capable of using the amount of water which would be sufficient for all the organs, then ablution will not be essential for him. (for e.g. it is harmful to one due to an issue such as an injury, an option for them is Tayammum (Dry ablution))
   • Similarly, if he is able to use water but the water is not enough for all the relevant body-parts, then also ablution will not be essential for him. (an option for them is Tayammum (Dry ablution))
5. Existence of Hadath as-Asghar (minor de jure filth/ritual impurity)
   • Ablution is not essential for a person already in a state of ablution.
6. Being free from Hadath al-Akbar major de jure filth (major ritual impurity)
   • Ablution will not be sufficient for a person for whom Bathing is essential.
7. Lack of time
   • If there is ample amount of time available (for Salät, etc.), then ablution will not be essential for the person immediately. It will be permissible for him to delay the ablution.

Miscellaneous rulings related to wudu

• Beard
  • thick beard - if you have a thick beard that completely covers your skin so your complexion cannot be seen, you only need to wash the outer surface of the hair that sits over your chin
  • thin/patchy beard - simply washing the surface of a thin or patchy beard is not enough; if your skin is visible through the hair, you must ensure the water reaches the skin underneath
    • also applies to the hair above and below the lips
  • You are not required to wash or wipe any part of your beard hair that hangs down below your jawline or extends past the boundaries of your face
• Nails
  • Substance under nails - If substances like wax or dough get stuck under your nails and block water from reaching the skin, you must remove them and wash the skin underneath for your Wudu to be valid
    • However, everyday dirt that naturally builds up under the nails are excused and do not count as a barrier to the water (as to not cause difficulty)
  • Likewise, if your nails are so long that they wrap over and cover the very tip of your finger, you must clip them so that water can reach the skin underneath
  • if one cuts fingernails after performing wudu they do not need to repeat the washing
• Ring
  • If you are wearing a tight ring, you must move or wiggle it to make sure the water reaches the skin underneath it
• Feet
  • If washing cracks in your feet is painful, you are allowed to simply let the water flow over any ointment or cream you have applied
    • in this situation, it is not necessary to wash the actual skin inside the cracks
    • however, there is an excuse to wipe over if it’s harmful, and if this is not possible then that person is excused. The condition here is harm.
• Cutting hair
  • Wiping head does not need to be repeated for the one who shaves his head after wudu
  • Washing face does not need to be repeated if one trims/shaves their moustache after wudu

Related topic(s)

Wudu (Ablution) Essentials (Arkan) of wudu

Additional resources

• Book(s): Al Fiqh al Muyassar 1 (Simple Fiqh 1)
• Video(s): Wudu (Ablution) | Al Fiqh Al Muyassar | Shaykh Khazen Zaoud