Purity is the foundation of Islamic worship, and understanding the rules of ablution is essential for every practicing Muslim.
In this article, we dive into all things that break wudu, based on Quran, authentic Hadith, and scholarly consensus. So stay tuned and read on.
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Defecation or urination
Among the all things that break wudu, is Defecation or urination, whether in large or small amounts. If the natural outlets (front and back) are blocked and replaced by alternative openings above or below the stomach (e.g., due to surgery), then wudu is still required after Defecation or urination from these outlets. This is agreed upon by all scholars.
As Allah says in the Quran:
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَقْرَبُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأَنتُمْ سُكَـٰرَىٰ حَتَّىٰ تَعْلَمُوا۟ مَا تَقُولُونَ وَلَا جُنُبًا إِلَّا عَابِرِى سَبِيلٍ حَتَّىٰ تَغْتَسِلُوا۟ ۚ وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرْضَىٰٓ أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ أَوْ جَآءَ أَحَدٌۭ مِّنكُم مِّنَ ٱلْغَآئِطِ أَوْ لَـٰمَسْتُمُ ٱلنِّسَآءَ فَلَمْ تَجِدُوا۟ مَآءًۭ فَتَيَمَّمُوا۟ صَعِيدًۭا طَيِّبًۭا فَٱمْسَحُوا۟ بِوُجُوهِكُمْ وَأَيْدِيكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَفُوًّا غَفُورًا ٤٣
“O believers! Do not approach prayer while intoxicated until you are aware of what you say, nor in a state of ˹full˺ impurity—unless you merely pass through ˹the mosque˺—until you have bathed. But if you are ill, on a journey, or have relieved yourselves, or been intimate with your wives and cannot find water, then purify yourselves with clean earth, wiping your faces and hands. And Allah is Ever-Pardoning, All-Forgiving.”
Also, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“وَعَن صَفْوَان بن عَسَّال قَالَ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَأْمُرُنَا إِذَا كُنَّا سَفَرًا أَنْ لَا نَنْزِعَ خِفَافَنَا ثَلَاثَةَ أَيَّامٍ وَلَيَالِيَهُنَّ إِلَّا مِنْ جَنَابَةٍ وَلَكِنْ مِنْ غَائِطٍ وَبَوْلٍ وَنَوْمٍ. رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيّ وَالنَّسَائِيّ”
Safwan b. ‘Assal said, “God’s messenger used to command us, when we were travelling, not to take off our shoes for three days and nights except for seminal defilement, and not to do so on account of easing ourselves, passing water, or sleeping.”
Tirmidhi and Nasa’i transmitted it.
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Discharge from private parts
Scholars unanimously agree that Discharge from private parts, especially vaginal discharge in women, breaks wudu. However, they disagreed on whether such discharge is pure or impure(najis). To be safe, wudu should be renewed for every prayer when this discharge occurs.
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Sleeping
There are two types of sleeping. If it is light sleep where a person is still aware of their surroundings, wudu is not broken.
The companions of the Prophet Muhammed used to wait for the Isha Prayer and would nod off out of drowsiness, then pray without renewing their wudu.
However, if one sleeps deeply and becomes unaware of what is happening around them, wudu is broken according to scholarly consensus.
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Loss Of Consciousness
Loss of consciousness is one of the most serious among all things that break wudu, as it involves a complete detachment from awareness.
Scholars agree that loss of consciousness, even if brief, breaks wudu.
Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen was asked whether fainting invalidates wudu, and he replied:
“Yes, fainting breaks wudu, because it is more severe than sleep. Deep sleep breaks wudu if one is unaware whether something came out. Light sleep that does not disconnect awareness does not break wudu, regardless of the person’s position. But since fainting removes consciousness entirely, it requires renewal of wudu.”
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Direct touching of private parts
Direct touching of private parts, such as a man touching his penis or a woman touching her private area without a barrier, breaks wudu. But touching through clothing does not break it.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“وَعَنْ بُسْرَةَ بِنْتِ صَفْوَانَ رَضِيَ اَللَّهُ عَنْهَا; { أَنَّ رَسُولَ اَللَّهِ - صلى الله عليه وسلم -قَالَ: “مَنْ مَسَّ ذَكَرَهُ فَلْيَتَوَضَّأْ” } أَخْرَجَهُ اَلْخَمْسَةُ, وَصَحَّحَهُ اَلتِّرْمِذِيُّ, وَابْنُ حِبَّان 1.”
Narrated Busra bint Safwan (rad): Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: “He who touches his penis should perform ablution”.
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Touching a woman
There is some scholarly disagreement on certain matters among all things that break wudu, such as physical contact with women.
Shaykh Ibn Baz said the correct view is that simply Touching a woman—with or without desire—does not break wudu unless it is accompanied by Discharge from private parts.
This is supported by the Prophet ﷺ kissing some of his wives and then praying without renewing wudu.
As for the Qur’anic verse: “or been intimate with your wives”, it refers to sexual intercourse, not just physical contact.
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Bleeding
Scholars agree that a small amount of Bleeding does not break wudu. However, they differed on whether a large amount (heavy bleeding or injury) breaks it.
To be cautious, it is recommended to renew wudu after heavy bleeding.
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Vomiting
Imam Al-Shafi’i held the view that Vomiting does not break wudu, due to lack of a clear authentic proof.
However, vomit is considered impure, and the mouth and anything vomit touches (skin or clothes) should be cleaned before prayer.
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Passing gas
Scholars agree that Passing gas breaks wudu, regardless of whether it makes a sound or has a smell.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ الْحَنْظَلِيُّ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنْ هَمَّامِ بْنِ مُنَبِّهٍ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ، يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ لاَ تُقْبَلُ صَلاَةُ مَنْ أَحْدَثَ حَتَّى يَتَوَضَّأَ ”. قَالَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ حَضْرَمَوْتَ مَا الْحَدَثُ يَا أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ فُسَاءٌ أَوْ ضُرَاطٌ.”
“Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “The prayer of a person who does Hadath (passes urine, stool or wind) is not accepted till he performs the ablution.” A person from Hadaramout asked Abu Huraira, “What is ‘Hadath’?” Abu Huraira replied, ” ‘Hadath’ means the passing of wind.
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Consumption of Camel Meat
Consumption of camel meat breaks wudu, as instructed by the Prophet ﷺ.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“وَعَن جَابر بن سَمُرَة أَنَّ رَجُلًا سَأَلَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَنَتَوَضَّأُ مِنْ لُحُومِ الْغَنَمِ؟ قَالَ: «إِنْ شِئْتَ فَتَوَضَّأْ وَإِنْ شِئْتَ فَلَا تَتَوَضَّأْ» . قَالَ أَنَتَوَضَّأُ مِنْ لُحُومِ الْإِبِلِ؟ قَالَ: «نَعَمْ فَتَوَضَّأْ مِنْ لُحُومِ الْإِبِلِ» قَالَ: أُصَلِّي فِي مَرَابِضِ الْغَنَمِ قَالَ: «نَعَمْ» قَالَ: أُصَلِّي فِي مبارك الْإِبِل؟ قَالَ: «لَا» . رَوَاهُ مُسلم
“Jabir b. Samura said that a man asked God’s messenger whether they should perform ablution after eating mutton and he replied, “You may perform ablution or not, as you wish.” He asked if they should perform ablution after eating camel flesh and he replied, “Yes, perform ablution after eating camel flesh.” He then asked whether he might say prayers in sheepfolds and he replied, “Yes”; but when he asked whether he might say prayers in places where camels lie down, he replied, “No.”
Muslim transmitted it.
Conclusion
Understanding all things that break wudu helps you stay spiritually clean and ready for every prayer. From sleeping to touching private parts or even eating camel meat—each point has its own ruling and wisdom.
Learning these details strengthens your connection to daily worship and builds confidence in your actions.
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