In What Cases Wudu Is Broken in Islam? Find Out Here!

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things that break wudu

In What Cases Wudu Is Broken in Islam? ~ Hi again! As a Muslim, I am very sure that you already understand that wudu is one of the most crucial acts of worship in Islam. I say that because the main function of wudu is to remove minor hadas (الحَدَثُ الأَصْغَرُ). Minor hadas is one of the things that breaks wudu. In Islam, there are several acts of worship that require Muslims to be in a state of purity while performing them. One of them is prayer: Fajr prayer, Dhuhr prayer, Asr prayer, Maghrib prayer, Isha prayer, Qabliyah prayer, Ba'diyah prayer, Witr prayer, Tahajjud prayer, and so on.

Whatever your reason for opening this article, I am sure you are looking for an explanation of the things that break wudu. Don't worry! That is the main topic of our discussion today. Trust me, you just need to read this article to the end!

What is Wudu?

Before I explain more about what breaks wudu in Islam, I will first explain the meaning of wudu. This is the fundamental aspect of wudu and all the discussions about it that you need to understand well.

Wudu is one of the important rituals in Islam. Wudu refers to the process of ritual purification before performing prayers or other acts of worship. This process involves washing certain parts of the body, such as the hands, face, and feet, as well as wiping a portion of the head and both ears with water. The purpose is to ensure that a Muslim is in a state of purity.

Wudu in Islam is very important. In addition to being a prerequisite for valid prayers, wudu also serves to cleanse oneself from minor hadas (الحَدَثُ الأَصْغَرُ), which are states of impurity caused by everyday activities like sleeping or relieving oneself.

The ruling of wudu in Islam is obligatory for all Muslims who are in a state of minor hadas (الحَدَثُ الأَصْغَرُ) and are about to perform prayers. Sometimes, some Muslims have difficulty distinguishing between wudu and tayammum. The difference between wudu and tayammum lies in the method and conditions of their execution. Tayammum is performed with clean dust and serves as a substitute for wudu when water is unavailable or its use is not possible. However, tayammum can only be used in emergency situations, while wudu is the standard procedure.

Overall, wudu is an essential part of Islamic worship practices that not only purifies the body but also prepares the soul for worship with full concentration.

Why Should You Understand Things That Break Wudu?

First of all, I will explain the reasons why you should understand the things that break wudu. I want you to understand all of this first so that you grasp the urgency of this discussion.

Before I explain the reasons why you should understand the things that break wudu, I will quote several verses from the Quran and hadith that are specifically related to this topic. You must understand these first to appreciate the foundation of the argument.

The verses of the Quran and hadith I am referring to are as follows:

يٰٓاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا لَا تَقْرَبُوا الصَّلٰوةَ وَاَنْتُمْ سُكٰرٰى حَتّٰى تَعْلَمُوْا مَا تَقُوْلُوْنَ وَلَا جُنُبًا اِلَّا عَابِرِيْ سَبِيْلٍ حَتّٰى تَغْتَسِلُوْا ۗوَاِنْ كُنْتُمْ مَّرْضٰٓى اَوْ عَلٰى سَفَرٍ اَوْ جَاۤءَ اَحَدٌ مِّنْكُمْ مِّنَ الْغَاۤىِٕطِ اَوْ لٰمَسْتُمُ النِّسَاۤءَ فَلَمْ تَجِدُوْا مَاۤءً فَتَيَمَّمُوْا صَعِيْدًا طَيِّبًا فَامْسَحُوْا بِوُجُوْهِكُمْ وَاَيْدِيْكُمْ ۗ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ كَانَ عَفُوًّا غَفُوْرًا

O you who have believed, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated until you know what you are saying or in a state of janabah, except those passing through [a place of prayer], until you have washed [your whole body]. And if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women and find no water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and hands with it. Indeed, Allah is ever Pardoning and Forgiving. (An-Nisa’ [4]: 43).

The Quranic verse above explains that Muslims cannot pray if they have minor hadas. For this reason, they must perform wudu or Tayammum to remove it before praying.

لَّا يَمَسُّهٗٓ اِلَّا الْمُطَهَّرُوْنَۗ

None touch it except the purified. (Al-Waqiah [56]: 79).

This verse explains that a person should not touch the Quran if they have hadas, whether minor or major hadas.

عَنْ أَبِيْ هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ أَنَّ رَسُوْلَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ : لَا يَقْبَلُ اللهُ صَلَاةَ أَحَدِكُمْ إِذَا أَحْدَثَ حَتَّى يَتَوَضَّأَ . مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ

From Abu Hurairah (radiyallahu anhu), that the Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: "Allah does not accept the prayer of anyone from you if he has hadas (minor hadas) until he performs wudu." This hadith is agreed upon by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

The hadith above explains that Allah will not accept the prayer of a Muslim who has hadas. Minor hadas is one of the things that breaks wudu.

Now, if you have understood some of the brief explanations above, you can conclude that the reasons you should understand what breaks wudu are as follows:

  1. Wudu is a form of worship to remove minor hadas.
  2. Minor hadas is one of the things that breaks wudu and purity.
  3. There are several acts of worship in Islam that require Muslims to perform wudu before performing them.

This is a brief explanation of the reasons why you must understand what breaks wudu. As a Muslim, you must understand all of this.

In What Cases Wudu Is Broken in Islam?

Now, I will explain the main topic of this discussion: What breaks wudu in Islam? I want you to read the explanation below carefully so that you have no further questions about it. Of course, if you still have any questions, feel free to write them in the comment section. I would be very happy to engage in a dialogue with you.

Briefly, an explanation of the things that break wudu is as follows: 

Things That Break Wudu Definition Reason How to Get Rid of It
1. Minor Hadas An impure condition on the body of Muslims that can be removed by wudu or Tayammum The things that cause Muslims to have minor hadas are as follows:

  • If something comes out of two holes: the front hole (penis and vagina) and the back hole (anus).
  • Loss of mind due to sleep, madness, and so on.
  • If the skin of a man and a woman who is not a mahram touch without a barrier.
  • Touching the penis, vagina, or anus using the palms of the hand or the inside of the fingers.
  • Vomiting and nosebleeds.
minor hadas can be removed with wudu. If Muslims cannot perform wudu due to reasons that are justified in Islam, then they may perform Tayammum as an alternative.

So, there are two ways to remove minor hadas:
  • Wudu (main method).
  • Tayammum (alternative method).
2. Major hadas Impure conditions in the bodies of Muslims that can be removed with Ghusl Janabah or Tayammum The things that cause Muslims to have major hadas are as follows:
  • If sperm comes out.
  • After sex.
  • If a Muslim woman's menstruation has been completed.
  • If a Muslim woman's puerperium has been completed.
  • If a Muslim woman has given birth.
  • If a Muslim die.
Major hadas can be removed with Ghusl Janabah. If Muslims cannot perform Ghusl Janabah due to things that are justified in Islam, then they may perform Tayammum as an alternative.

So, there are two ways to get rid of major hadas:
  • Ghusl Janabah (main method).
  • Tayammum (alternative method).

Now, if you ask me, "In what cases wudu is broken in Islam?", the answer is, "In brief, wudu is broken in Islam if a Muslim has minor or major hadas."

That's a brief explanation of "In what cases wudu is broken in Islam?". As a Muslim, you must understand it.

FAQs

Does Eating Break Wudu? No, eating does not break wudu. Wudu is not affected by consuming food.
Does Flatulence Break Wudu? Yes, flatulence does not break wudu. It is one of the things that invalidate wudu as it involves releasing gas from the body.
Does Being Sick Break Wudu? No, being sick does not break wudu. However, certain symptoms like vomiting might affect it.
Does Kissing Break Wudu? No, kissing does not break wudu. It does not involve actions that nullify wudu unless it leads to something that does.
Does Your Wudu Break If You Accidentally Fart? Yes, accidentally fart breaks wudu. Any release of gas from the body invalidates wudu.
Does Doubt Break Wudu? No, doubt does not break wudu. Wudu is only broken by certain actions, not by uncertainty.
Does Eating Food Break Wudu? No, eating food does not break wudu. It does not affect the state of ritual purity.
Does Ihtijam Blood Break Wudu? No, cupping (ihtijam) does not break wudu. However, the bleeding from it may need to be addressed depending on the situation.
Does Eating Fruit Break Wudu? No, eating fruit does not break wudu. It is treated the same as eating other types of food.
Which Sleeping Position Breaks Wudu? Deep sleep that leads to loss of bodily control breaks wudu. Sleeping in a position where you cannot maintain control of bodily functions is a factor. That's the sleeping position that breaks wudu.
Does Wudu Break if a Cat Licks You? No, a cat licking you does not break wudu. Animals' saliva does not affect ritual purity.
Does an Internal Fart Break Wudu? No, an internal fart does not break wudu. It must be released to affect wudu.
Why Does Farting Break Wudu?Farting breaks wudu because it involves releasing gas from the body, which invalidates the state of ritual purity.
Does Eating Fish Break Wudu? No, eating fish does not break wudu. It is similar to eating other permissible foods.
Does Vomiting Break Wudu? Yes, vomiting can break wudu, especially if it is significant. It is considered a form of impurity that requires wudu to be renewed.
Does Yawning Break Wudu? No, yawning does not break wudu. It does not involve actions that nullify ritual purity.
Does Holding in a Fart Break Wudu? No, holding in a fart does not break wudu. It only breaks if it is released.
Does Swearing Break Wudu? No, swearing does not break wudu. It does not impact the state of ritual purity.
Does a Small Fart Break Wudu? Yes, a small fart breaks wudu. Any release of gas from the body affects the state of ritual purity.
Does Dancing Break Wudu? No, dancing does not break wudu unless it leads to a state that affects bodily control or leads to impurity.
Does Touching a Dog Break Wudu? No, touching a dog does not break wudu. However, some schools of thought consider the dog's saliva impure.
Does Washing a Child's Bottom Break Wudu? No, washing a child's bottom does not break wudu, unless impurities transfer to your own body.
Does Petting a Cat Break Wudu? No, petting a cat does not break wudu. Cats are not considered impure in Islamic law.
Does Unintentional Farting Break Wudu? Yes, unintentional farting breaks wudu. It is considered the same as intentional farting in this context.
Does a Silent Fart Break Wudu? Yes, a silent fart breaks wudu. It is the act of releasing gas from the body that invalidates wudu.
Which Animal Flesh Breaks Wudu? No animal flesh breaks wudu except camel meat according to some opinions. It is the act of consuming or coming into contact with impure substances that affects purity.
Why Does Sleep Break Wudu?Sleep breaks wudu if it leads to a loss of control over bodily functions. It is considered a state of relaxation that affects ritual purity.
Does a Nosebleed Break Wudu? Yes, a nosebleed breaks wudu. It is a physical condition that does not affect ritual purity.
Does Singing a Song Break Wudu? No, singing a song does not break wudu. It does not involve actions that invalidate ritual purity.
Does Listening to Music Break Wudu? No, listening to music does not break wudu. It is an activity unrelated to ritual purity.
What Kind of Fart Breaks Wudu? Any fart, regardless of whether it is loud or silent, breaks wudu. It is the act of releasing gas that affects ritual purity. Thus, all types of farts break wudu.
Does Makeup Break Wudu? No, makeup does not break wudu. It does not affect the state of ritual purity as long as it does not prevent water from reaching the skin.
Does a Vaginal Fart Break Wudu? Yes, a vaginal fart breaks wudu. It is considered a release of gas from the body.
Does Picking Your Nose Break Wudu? No, picking your nose does not break wudu unless it leads to a discharge or bleeding that affects ritual purity.
Does Cursing Break Wudu? No, cursing does not break wudu. It affects moral and ethical behavior but not ritual purity.
Does Drinking Water Break Wudu? No, drinking water does not break wudu. It is a normal activity unrelated to ritual purity.
Does Cat Saliva Break Wudu? No, cat saliva does not break wudu. It is not considered impure.
Does a Bubble Fart Break Wudu? Yes, a bubble fart breaks wudu. It is the act of passing gas that affects ritual purity.
Does Crying Break Wudu? No, crying does not break wudu. It does not involve actions that affect ritual purity.

Do you have questions? Please write in the comment column!


Akhmad Syafiuddin
Akhmad Syafiuddin An expert in Islamic discourse and law, and a graduate of Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.

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October 25, 2024 at 10:45 AM Delete
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