Wudu [ablution – الوضوء] is a state of ritual purity in Islam that is required before performing certain acts of worship, such as prayer and making Tawaf around the Kabaa. Wudu is performed by washing some parts of the body such as the face, the arms, etc. with clean water.
In this article, we will explore some common things that break Wudu and some other things that do not. These things have to do with body functions, eating and drinking, illnesses, sleeping, and some behaviors (normal or forbidden) that some Muslims do.
Table of Contents
What Invalidates Wudu? [What Nullifies Wudu?]
Several things invalidate or nullify Wudu. Some of them are clear-cut breakers of Wudu and some others about whom Muslim scholars have different views. Examples of the first kind are the common natural bodily functions like peeing. On the other hand, some sleeping and illness factors are examples of the other kind of potential Wudu breakers.
Most of the following bodily functions break Wudu. They include peeing, farting, discharge, sneezing, vaginal discharge and burping. Let’s examine these in some detail.
Does Peeing Break Wudu?
Yes, peeing [urination] breaks Wudu. Urination is one of the most common actions that invalidate Wudu. After urinating, you should perform Wudu again if you need to perform prayer.
In this context, Allah says:
“يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ فَٱغْسِلُوا۟ وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى ٱلْمَرَافِقِ وَٱمْسَحُوا۟ بِرُءُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى ٱلْكَعْبَيْنِ ۚ وَإِن كُنتُمْ جُنُبًۭا فَٱطَّهَّرُوا۟ ۚ وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرْضَىٰٓ أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ أَوْ جَآءَ أَحَدٌۭ مِّنكُم مِّنَ ٱلْغَآئِطِ أَوْ لَـٰمَسْتُمُ ٱلنِّسَآءَ فَلَمْ تَجِدُوا۟ مَآءًۭ فَتَيَمَّمُوا۟ صَعِيدًۭا طَيِّبًۭا…”
“O believers! When you rise up for prayer, wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, wipe your heads, and wash your feet to the ankles. And if you are in a state of ˹full˺ impurity,1 then take a full bath. But if you are ill, on a journey, or have relieved yourselves, or have been intimate with your wives and cannot find water, then purify yourselves with clean earth”
In this part of the verse, Allah commands the believers to do Wudu after certain actions, among which is using the bathroom to relieve themselves.
Does Farting Break Wudu? [Does Queef Break Wudu?]
Yes, farting [passing wind] breaks Wudu. After farting, you should renew your Wudu. However, if the person is already praying and thinks they have passed wind, they must continue their prayer as if nothing happened.
This is evident by the following narration from the Sunnah:
“A complaint was made to the Prophet (peace be upon him) about a man who sensed something (some doubt about his ablution) during prayer. He said: ‘No (he does not have to perform ablution) unless he notices a smell or hears a sound.'”
شُكِيَ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ الرَّجُلُ يَجِدُ الشَّىْءَ فِي الصَّلاَةِ فَقَالَ: “لاَ، حَتَّى يَجِدَ رِيحًا أَوْ يَسْمَعَ صَوْتًا”.
In this narration, anyone praying is forbidden by the Prophet (peace be upon him) to leave their prayer to redo Wudu unless they smell or hear the sound of farting.
Does Sneezing Break Wudu?
No, sneezing does not break Wudu. It is considered a favorable natural bodily function and does not require you to repeat your Wudu.
Does Discharge Break Wudu?
Yes, discharge breaks Wudu, whether it is defecation [emptying the bowels] or discharge of semen, both of them break Wudu. However, there is no need to make a Ghosl (غُسل) [full bath] after defecation, while it is necessary to do a Ghosl after discharge of semen [usually after intercourse] or if it is released after a strong sexual desire. Please refer to Quran, 5:6:
“يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ فَٱغْسِلُوا۟ وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى ٱلْمَرَافِقِ وَٱمْسَحُوا۟ بِرُءُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى ٱلْكَعْبَيْنِ ۚ وَإِن كُنتُمْ جُنُبًۭا فَٱطَّهَّرُوا۟…”
[“O believers! When you rise up for prayer, wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, wipe your heads, and wash your feet to the ankles. And if you are in a state of ˹full˺ impurity,1 then take a full bath.]
In this part of the verse, Allah commands the believers to do a full bath if they are in a state of impurity [usually after intercourse].
Does Vaginal Discharge Break Wudu?
Yes, vaginal discharge breaks Wudu. This includes all types of vaginal discharge, whether it is due to menstruation, pregnancy, or other medical conditions. If you experience vaginal discharge, you should perform Wudu before engaging in acts of worship, such as prayer.
However, some scholars believe that moisture in the vagina does not nullify ablution. This is the choice of Ibn Hazm [A prominent Andalusian Muslim scholar].
Does Burping Break Wudu?
No, burping does not break Wudu. It is not one of the things that require you to repeat your Wudu.
Eating And Drinking Factors that break Wudu:
Some other factors that may affect Wudu have to do with eating and drinking. They have some special rulings in Islam that every Muslim should know and implement.
Does Eating Break Wudu?
No, eating does not break Wudu. However, it is better to clean your mouth with water after eating, especially if you eat fatty food.
Does Drinking Water Break Wudu?
No, drinking water does not break Wudu. There is no command in the Quran or the Sunnah [tradition of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)] to redo Wudu after drinking water.
Does Camel Meat Break Wudu?
Yes, camel meat breaks Wudu. This is evident by the narration of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him said):
“A man asked the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) whether he should perform ablution after (eating) mutton. He (the Messenger of Allah) said: Perform ablution if you so desire, and if you do not wish, do not perform it. He (again) asked: Should I perform ablution (after eating) camel’s flesh? He said: Yes, perform ablution (after eating) the camel’s flesh.”
سَأَلَ رجلٌ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَأَتَوَضَّأُ مِنْ لُحُومِ الْغَنَمِ قَالَ: ”إِنْ شِئْتَ فَتَوَضَّأْ وَإِنْ شِئْتَ فَلاَ تَوَضَّأْ”. قَالَ أَتَوَضَّأُ مِنْ لُحُومِ الإِبِلِ قَالَ: ”نَعَمْ، فَتَوَضَّأْ مِنْ لُحُومِ الإِبِلِ”.
In this hadith, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was asked whether Muslims should Perform Wudu (ablution) after eating camel meat and he said yes.
Why Does Camel Meat Break Wudu?
Some scholars mentioned some reasons for doing Wudu after eating camel meat. These include:
- The camel has some kind of devilish nature, so whoever eats its meat will develop some devilish energy as a result; so it is advisable to do Wudu to take away that evil energy.
- Camel meat provokes human nerves. That’s why modern medicine tells hot-tempered individuals not to eat a great deal of camel meat. Doing Wudu soothes and calms the nerves.
Illness Factors that could break Wudu:
Some factors have to do with illnesses and have an effect on the ruling of Wudu in Islam. Let’s examine some of them.
Does Bleeding Break Wudu?
No, bleeding does not break Wudu.
The evidence is that a companion was bleeding while he was praying in the battle of Dhat Al Riqa’a (ذات الرقاع) from a wound he had had in the battle and the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not ask him to redo his Wudu.
Does Vomiting Break Wudu? [Does Throwing Up Break Wudu?]
No, vomiting (throwing up) does not break Wudu. Malik [a prominent Muslim scholar and the founder of the Maliki School of thought] was asked whether it was necessary to do Wudu because of regurgitating undigested food, and he said, “No, Wudu is not necessary, but the mouth should be rinsed.”
سُئِلَ مَالِكٌ هَلْ فِي الْقَىْءِ وُضُوءٌ قَالَ: “لاَ، وَلَكِنْ لِيَتَمَضْمَضْ مِنْ ذَلِكَ وَلْيَغْسِلْ فَاهُ وَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ وُضُوءٌ”.
Do Nosebleeds Break Wudu?
No, nosebleeds do not break Wudu.
The evidence is that Abdullah Ibn Abbas [a great companion of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)] used to have nosebleeds and would leave prayer to wash off the blood. He would then return and complete his prayer without redoing Wudu.
عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عَبَّاسٍ، كَانَ يَرْعُفُ فَيَخْرُجُ فَيَغْسِلُ الدَّمَ عَنْهُ ثُمَّ يَرْجِعُ فَيَبْنِي عَلَى مَا قَدْ صَلَّى.
Sleeping Factors that break Wudu:
Sleep also has some rulings that are related to Wudu. These include the effect of yawing, dozing off, and deep sleep on Wudu: Are they Wudu breakers? Let’s see.
Does Yawning Break Wudu?
No, yawning does not break Wudu nor does it invalidate the Salaat (prayer). However, all Muslims should resist yawning all the time as it is from Shaitan (Satan).
Does Dozing Off Break Wudu? [Does Taking A Nap Break Wudu?]
No, dozing off (taking a nap) does not break Wudu, especially if the person’s rear is firmly seated. But it is always advisable to be on the safe side. So after taking a nap, it is wise to redo your Wudu when you wake up.
Does Sleeping Break Wudu?
Yes, deep sleep breaks Wudu, but light sleep, especially where the person’s rear is firmly seated, does not break Wudu. However, some scholars say that all levels of sleep break Wudu, while other scholars say only deep sleep breaks Wudu.
Behavioral Factors Break Wudu:
There are some actions that Muslims do that affect their Wudu status. Some of them are normal, everyday actions, and some are Haram (forbidden) in themselves. However, they have different rulings as far as Wudu issue is concerned. Let’s explore some of them.
Does Smoking Break Your Wudu?
No, smoking does not break Wudu, although it is Haram as it is harmful. Also, it is advisable to wash your mouth after smoking and before performing your prayers.
Does Touching Pork Break Wudu?
No, touching pork is not one of the things that break Wudu, although pork is impure. However, Touching impure things does not break Wudu, but if a person touches something impure, it is not permissible for them to pray until they wash it off.
Does Cursing Break Wudu? [Does Cursing Break Your Wudu?]
No, cursing does not break your Wudu, but it is a sin and it is recommended for the one who commits a sin to do Wudu because Wudu expiates for sins, as proven by the Prophet (peace be upon him).
In this regard, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“When a believer performs ablution, then rinses his mouth, the sins go out from his mouth …”
.”إِذَا تَوَضَّأَ الْعَبْدُ الْمُؤْمِنُ فَمَضْمَضَ خَرَجَتِ الْخَطَايَا مِنْ فِيهِ…”
Here, the Prophet (peace be upon him) urges Muslims to do Wudu even if their original Wudu is still valid as the new one wipes off sins like bad looks, bad words, etc.
Does Listening To Music Break Your Wudu?
No, listening to music does not break Wudu. It is forbidden in Islam, but it does not invalidate Wudu. There is no evidence from the Qur’an or the Sunnah that listening to music invalidates ablution.
However, it is a sin and Wudu is advisable in this case as it purifies the person.
Does Kissing Break Wudu?
Yes, kissing breaks Wudu. In this context, Ibn Mas’ud [a prominent companion of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)] used to say, “Ablution is necessary when a man kisses his wife.”
عَن ابْن مَسْعُود كَانَ يَقُولُ: مِنْ قُبْلَةِ الرَّجُلِ امْرَأَتَهُ الْوُضُوءُ.
So here Ibn Mas’ud said that a man should redo his Wudu if he kissed his wife.
Does Touching Your Private Parts Break Wudu?
Yes, touching one’s private parts breaks Wudu. Touching the private part without a barrier invalidates Wudu according to many scholars, including Malik, Al-Shafa‘i, and Ahmad [the founders of the Maliki, Shafa’i, and Hanbali schools of thought].
In this regard, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“Whoever touches his private part, let him perform Wudu”.
“مَنْ مَسَّ فَرْجَهُ فَلْيَتَوَضَّأْ”.
In this Hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) makes it clear that whoever touches their private parts must redo Wudu.
Does Swearing Break Your Wudu?
No, swearing does not break Wudu, as it is not among Wudu breakers. However, swearing is a sin, and it is advisable for anyone who commits it to have Wudu and repent, but it is not obligatory to redo Wudu.
Does Laughing Break Wudu?
No, Muslim scholars unanimously agreed that laughing outside of prayer does not break Wudu and does not require one to do Wudu again.
Does Cutting Nails Break Wudu?
No, cutting nails does not break Wudu. Cutting nails is not among Wudu breakers, so by default, nobody needs to redo Wudu after cutting their nails.
Does Touching A Dog Break Wudu?
No, touching a dog’s fur does not break Wudu according to the majority of Muslim scholars. This ruling is based on the established understanding that only a dog’s saliva is considered najis (impure), necessitating Wudu renewal upon contact.
Does Crying Break Wudu?
No, crying doesn’t break Wudu. Tears due to crying or doing other stuff like cutting onions do not invalidate Wudu.
Does Touching A Woman Break Wudu?
No, touching a woman does not break Wudu. However, touching a non-Mahram woman is a sin. But touching a wife does not invalidate Wudu, because it would impose a lot of hardship if Wudu was required in this case. If it broke a person’s Wudu, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would have said so.
Concerning the words of Allah in the Quran “أَوْ لَامَسْتُمُ النِّسَاءَ” (… or you have been in contact with women…” [Quran 4:43, 5:6], this refers to sexual intercourse according to the sounder scholarly opinion.
Does Vaping Break Wudu?
No, smoking or vaping does not break Wudu, but you should remove the offensive odour from your mouth before performing your prayers.
Does Dancing Break Wudu?
No, dancing, in itself, does not break Wudu, as it does not fall under the activities that break Wudu.
Does Singing Break Wudu?
No, singing does not break Wudu. There is nothing in the Quran or the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that says it does.
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Conclusion
Wudu is the founding step of prayer in Islam, and it is so important to know what breaks it, so that your prayers and other acts of worship that require Wudu are considered valid. As a rule of thumb, certain acts invalidate Wudu and they are all mentioned in this article, anything that is not one of these Wudu breakers does not invalidate Wudu.
However, if there are different opinions among scholars about a certain action being a Wudu breaker or not, it is always wise to be on the safe side and redo your Wudu, especially before performing obligatory daily prayers or making Tawaf around the Kabaa.
