Nullifiers of Wudu

Praise be to Allah

Summary : In Islam, wudu (ablution) is a state of ritual purity necessary for performing acts of worship such as Salah (prayer). Specific actions are known to invalidate wudu, requiring one to perform wudu again before engaging in these religious duties.

Detailed Answer:

The actions that nullify wudu are clearly outlined in Islamic teachings, primarily derived from the Hadith. Here are the key actions that invalidate wudu:

Actions that Nullify Wudu:

1. Passing Wind (Flatulence):
   • Passing wind from the back passage nullifies wudu. This is based on the hadith narrated by ‘Abd-Allah ibn Zayd, where a man doubted if he had broken his wudu during prayer. The Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “Do not stop praying until you hear a sound or smell an odor.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 137)
   • If you are unsure whether you have passed wind, assume your wudu is still valid to avoid unnecessary doubt.
2. Urination or Defecation:
   • The release of urine or feces invalidates wudu. This includes anything that exits from the private parts.
   • The Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) instructed: “If any of you goes to answer the call of nature, let him not touch his penis with his right hand nor clean himself with his right hand.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 154)
3. Deep Sleep:
   • Deep sleep, where one loses awareness of their surroundings, invalidates wudu. Light sleep, such as dozing off while sitting without falling over, does not break wudu.
   • The Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “The eye is the drawstring of the anus, so whoever sleeps should perform wudu.” (Sunan Abu Dawood 203)
4. Touching Private Parts with Desire:
   • Touching one’s own private parts with lust invalidates wudu. Casual contact without desire does not break wudu.
   • The Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “Whoever touches his private part should perform wudu.” (Sunan Abu Dawood 181)
5. Eating Camel Meat:

   • The issue of performing ablution after eating camel’s meat is a controversial issue among the scholars . The Hanbali School as well as some of the verifying scholars of the Shaafi’i School and others are of the view that ablution is invalidated by eating camel’s meat.

     However, the majority of the scholars  are of the view that ablution is not invalidated by eating camel’s meat.

Special Considerations:

• Doubt and Certainty:
  • If unsure whether an action that breaks wudu occurred, assume your wudu remains valid. This prevents unnecessary doubt and ensures continuity in worship.
  • The Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “If any of you feels something in his stomach such that it is unclear to him whether something has come out or not, then he should not leave the mosque unless he hears a sound or smells an odor.” (Sahih Muslim 362)
• Chronic Issues:
  • For those with chronic issues like continuous passing of wind, they are considered ‘ma’dhur’ (excused persons). They should perform wudu for each prayer time, and their prayer remains valid even if the condition persists.

Conclusion:

Wudu is invalidated by specific actions such as passing wind, urination, defecation, deep sleep, touching private parts with desire, and eating camel meat. These rulings are based on clear evidence from the hadith and are meant to maintain the purity required for acts of worship.

And Allah Knows Best