What Breaks Wudu in Islam?

Question

What are the actions that break wudu (ablution)?

Bottom Line

Wudu is broken by anything exiting from the private parts (urine, feces, wind, and normal uterine vaginal discharge), loss of full consciousness (deep sleep), and direct touching of private parts with desire. Eating camel meat is disputed, and mere doubts do not nullify wudu.

Quick Answer

Wudu is a state of ritual purity required for Salah and other acts of worship. It is nullified by certain acts like passing wind, relieving oneself, deep sleep, and touching private parts. Some rulings differ by madhhab, such as eating camel meat. Doubts do not invalidate wudu unless certain.

Key Points

• Passing wind, urine, or feces nullifies wudu.
• Deep sleep that removes awareness breaks wudu.
• Touching private parts with desire breaks wudu.
• Eating camel meat is disputed.
• Doubt does not break wudu unless one is certain.
• Chronic cases (incontinence, continuous wind) are treated with special rulings.

Detailed Answer

Purity is a foundation of worship in Islam, and the Prophet ﷺ clearly taught what breaks wudu so that prayer is performed in the correct state:

1. ---

   Passing Wind

   • The Prophet ﷺ said: “Do not stop praying until you hear a sound or smell an odor.” (Bukhari 137).

2. ---

   Urination or Defecation

   • Any substance exiting from the private parts nullifies wudu. (Bukhari 154).

3. ---

   Deep Sleep

   • The Prophet ﷺ said: “The eye is the drawstring of the anus, so whoever sleeps should perform wudu.” (Abu Dawood 203).

   • Light dozing while sitting does not break wudu.

4. ---

   Touching Private Parts

   • “Whoever touches his private part should perform wudu.” (Abu Dawood 181).

   • Scholars differ on whether this applies without desire.

5. ---

   Eating Camel Meat

   • Hanbali view: it breaks wudu (based on authentic hadith).

   • Majority: it does not.

6. ---

   Doubt in Wudu

   • Doubts do not invalidate wudu. The Prophet ﷺ said:
     “If any of you feels something in his stomach… let him not leave until he hears a sound or smells an odor.” (Muslim 362).

7. ---

   Chronic Conditions

   • Those with urinary incontinence or continuous wind are excused. They perform wudu once after the prayer time enters, and their worship remains valid.

Nullifiers of Wudu

What This Means for You

If any of the above occurs, you must renew wudu before Salah. If you are uncertain, your wudu is still valid until you are sure it has broken.

And Allah knows best

References

Primary Sources:

• Sahih al-Bukhari 137, 154
• Sahih Muslim 362, 360
• Sunan Abu Dawood 181, 203

Secondary Sources:

• Ibn Qudāmah, al-Mughnī – detailed fiqh rulings on wudu nullifiers.
• al-Nawawī, al-Majmūʿ – commentary on hadith related to wudu.