Question : A question was asked about the validity of reciting God’s name (dhikr) during the performance of wudu’.

Fatwa in Brief: Reciting God’s Name (dhikr) during the performance of wudu’ is an innovation [and thus forbidden]; it has no basis, or origin, in Islam.

The Permanent Committee, 5/205

Response:

Asking for something from God [referred to as du‘a’, not strictly part of the formal Salah prayers] during one’s wudu’ presents no legal problem. While there is no hadith testifying to the Prophet doing this, it is ascribed to the pious predecessors (salaf). Thus, this matter is no different from the general command to remember God [through performing dhikr]; thus there is no prohibition against this.

Commentary:

Saying the “basmala” [lit: “b-ism Allah al-Rahman al-Rahim”, at the outset of one’s performance of wudu’ is recommended on the basis of the hadith: “any act of worship that does not start with basmala is defective”. Likewise, there is another hadith in which it is stated that “there is no wudu’ for him who does not mention God’s name upon [performing] it [the ablution]”. Both traditions are included in the Sunan of Abu Dawud. Nevertheless, according to the majority of scholars, the ablutions of Muslims who do not say this on purpose, or forget to say it outright, are still valid. The Hanbalis, however, consider it mandatory for Muslims to say the basmala at the outset of their wudu’. [In the view of this school] If they do not do so, their wudu’ is invalid.

It is recommended (Sunna) after finishing one’s wudu’ to say the Shahada ([lit: “I bear witness that there is no God but God, and that Muhammad is His servant and messenger”]. In a hadith in Muslim, the eight doors of Heaven will be opened for the one who says it [al-shahadah, while performing wudu’] to enter from whichever [door] he pleases. And in another account [in Muslim], it is said “O, God! Make me among the people who repent and among those who seek purification”.

Regarding the uttering of God’s name (dhikr) during the performance of wudu’, there is a sound hadith from Abu Musa al-Ash‘ari, who reports that, when he brought water for the Messenger of God (upon him be peace) to purify himself, he heard the latter say, “O God! Forgive my sins, may my house be spacious, and my provisions blessed”. There is, however, some disagreement regarding the time of this dhikr. Some say that the Prophet (upon him be peace) spoke during the performance of wudu’; while others say that it occurred after the Prophet completed his wudu’.

Regarding the subject of asking God for His kindness (du‘a’) while washing the separate parts of the body during wudu’, nothing is reported about the Prophet (upon him be peace) doing this. In his book al-Adhkar, al-Nawawi reports that the jurists prefer that an individual calls to God [i.e. during wudu’] by using the invocation (du‘a) that the pious predecessors (salaf) used.

The Salaf used to add, after the basmala, ‘thank God, who renders water pure;’ and after rinsing one’s mouth (madmada), they said ‘God please allow me to drink from the basin of the Prophet and provide me with a vessel that always replenishes;’ and after putting water up their noses, they said ‘please God do not deprive me of the fragrance of your blessing and of that of Heaven;’ and when washing their faces, they would say ‘please God make my face white on a day when some faces are made white, and some made black; and when washing their hands, ‘please God give me my book in my right hand, and judge me lightly, do not give it to me in my left, or from behind my back;’ and when wiping their hair, ‘please God let my hair not be singed by the fires of Hell, rather let me be in the shade of Your Throne, on the Day when there is no shade other than yours;’ and when washing their ears, ‘please God allow me to be among those who follow the best of what they hear;’ and when washing their feet, ‘please God plant my feet on the straight path”.

Hence, even though there is no hadith attributed to the Prophet (upon him be peace) on the subject of asking God (du‘a’), there is no harm in this practice. This is certainly true as it is reliably reported to have been a practice of the pious predecessors (salaf). Thus, the performances of dhikr and du‘a’ are as praiseworthy during wudu’ as during any other time of the day. There is no explicit text prohibiting them [thus they are permitted].

And God knows best.

Dr. Ahmad ‘Id