Wudu (وضوء) is the Islamic way of attaining purity and cleanliness, which is the essential prerequisite for the performance of worship, such as recitation of the Quran and offering Salah (Prayer). It is a sort of ritual purification, often translated as “Ablution”. Sometimes, it is also called “half ablution”, taking a complete Islamic Bath (Ghusl), being the “full ablution”.
Mainly, the process of wudu includes cleansing certain parts of the body, like the face, hands, forearms, head, and feet, as described in the 6th verse of Surah Al-Ma’idah.
Translation
O believers, when you stand up for the service of prayer, wash your faces and hands up to elbows, and also wipe your heads, and wash your feet up to the ankles. If you are in a state of seminal pollution, then bathe and purify yourself well….
The second part of this verse also describes some of the conditions, which necessitate performance of wudu, or in other words, which break wudu, such as satisfying the call of nature or sexual intercourse. However, there are many other conditions and happenings that cause breaking of wudu, as discussed elaborately by different scholars.
Whether vomiting breaks wudu or not is one of the most commonly asked questions across the Muslim world. In this blog, we will discuss the issue in detail to find the correct answer, based on the scholarly explanations regarding whether vomiting breaks wudu.
What Breaks the Wudu?
There are many circumstances and happenings, which break the wudu, as specifically outlined by scholars, based on various Quranic verses, Hadiths, and Sunnah, as well as the practices of the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. The subject, what breaks the wudu and what does not, is explained in detail by all four major Islamic Schools of thought, Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali. This issue is also discussed and explained in both Sunni and Shia Islam. With a slight difference of opinion, mostly there is a consensus among all the scholars on the main major happenings that break wudu.
The major causes of breakage of wudu can therefore be summarized as under:
- Going into a state of slow sleep while resting.
- Going into a state of deep sleep.
- Sleeping while taking the help of a support.
- Fainting or losing one’s senses.
- Defecating and/or urinating.
- Odorous and/or audible emission of wind.
- Sexual intercourse.
- Touching one’s private parts with naked hands.
- Ejaculation of semen, even without sexual intercourse.
- Excessive bleeding, especially if it leaves the point of exit from the body.
On the other hand, there are some issues where a difference of opinion exists among different Islamic Jurisprudences, which also includes vomiting. The question, whether vomiting breaks wudu, is discussed and explained in detail by the scholars of all four Islamic Jurisprudences, based on different references from the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ.
Does Vomiting break Wudu? – Difference of Opinion Across Islamic Jurisprudences
The issue of breaking wudu in the event of vomiting is dealt with differently by each school of Jurisprudence within Sunni Islam, whereas according to the Shia scholars, wudu does not break if one vomits.
· Impact of Vomiting on Wudu – Sunni Theology
Generally, the Sunnis follow one of the four major schools of Jurisprudence (Fiqh), the Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali. Each Fiqh has its own viewpoint on this critical issue, understandably relying on various solid and authentic reasoning.
· Hanafi Viewpoint
The founder of the Hanafi Fiqh, Imam Abu Hanifa, is of the view that vomiting invalidates Wudu. Explaining it further, he mentions that a mouthful of vomit would break wudu. It implies that if the vomit is not as much as a mouthful, wudu may remain intact. The basis of his ruling is believed to be a tradition, where it is mentioned that the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ once vomited and performed wudu. It is narrated in a Hadith, appearing at number 87 of Jami At-Tirmidhi.
Translation
Madan bin Abi Talhah narrated from Abu Ad-Darda that : “Allah’s Messenger vomited [so he broke fast] so he performed Wudu.” So I met Thawban in a Masjid in Damascus, and I mentioned that to him. He said: ‘He told the truth, I poured the water for his Wudu.”
This Hadith is categorized as “Hassan” by the majority of the Hadith Scholars. A Hassan Hadith is considered good and authentic, but slightly less than the Sahih (authoritative) Hadith. On the other hand, some of the Hadith Scholars are of the view that its links are weak; hence, they don’t consider it good to rely on this tradition.
However, according to Hanafi Fiqh, wudu gets invalid if one vomits a mouthful, which seems to be based on this Hadith.
· Hanbali Viewpoint
Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, the founder of the Hanbali Fiqh, is also of the same view as Imam Abu Hanifa. However, he explains it further, “Wudu gets invalidated if one vomits a lot”. Here, the ruling is almost the same as that of the Hanafis, with a slight deviation about the volume of the vomit. Instead of mentioning it as “mouthful”, the words “vomit a lot” are used.
· Shafi’i Viewpoint
According to Imam Al-Shafi’i, relying on the above-quoted Hadith is not sufficient, as he considers it a weak (Da’if) tradition. Further, it is also described that the said Hadith does not specifically mention that wudu is broken in the event of vomiting. The Shafi’i ruling on this critical issue also seems to be based on the basic and general principle that “what comes out of anything other than the front and back passages (urine and stool), irrespective of the volume, does not break wudu”. Accordingly, the ruling by the Shafi Fiqh clearly mentions that wudu does not break in the event of vomiting, whether limited or a lot.
· Maliki Viewpoint
Imam Malik Ibn Anas, the founder of the Maliki Fiqh, is also of the view that wudu does not invalidate in the case of vomiting. It is believed that he also considered the said Hadith as weak, so he did not rely on it.
· Impact of Vomiting on Wudu – Shia Theology
According to Shia Islam, vomiting does not break Wudu, whatever may be its volume. Side by side, it is also clearly advised in Shia (Fiqh Jafri’ah) that one has to purify his/her mouth after vomiting. This is essential before standing up for prayer or any other act of worship. This ruling is based on the authentic references from the Sunnah, as communicated through the Ahl al-Bayt.
Summary
- Hanafi Fiqh – Wudu breaks if one vomits a mouthful.
- Malik Fiqh – Wudu does not become invalid in case of vomiting.
- Shafi’i Fiqh – Wudu remains intact in the event of vomiting, irrespective of its volume.
- Hanbali Fiqh – Wudu becomes invalid if one vomits a lot.
- Fiqh Jaferi’ah – Wudu does not break if one vomits, but rinsing of the mouth is essential before offering prayer.
Best Practices
- Always follow the rulings about the impact of vomiting on wudu, as mentioned in the Fiqh, you generally follow. It is highly important to follow the Fiqh in its entirety, rather than selectively.
- Vomited material is generally considered impure. So, if it touches any of your body parts or your clothing, the affected part also gets impure and would require to be purified.
- It is highly important to wash or rinse your mouth before standing up for the prayer, in case of vomiting.
- Renewing your wudu at any time is not only permissible but also considered to be a good action. Hence, renewing your wudu after vomiting is a good action, which may eliminate any chances of confusion about the validity of wudu after vomiting.
Conclusion
Cleanliness is one of the basic principles of Islamic teachings. The Ritual Purity, often translated as Ablution or Wudu, is an essential part of all worship, such as prayer, recitation of the Quran, and circumambulation of the Ka’ba (Tawaf). The essentials of wudu are clearly defined in the Quran and Hadith. What breaks wudu and what does not break it is also specifically mentioned in various Hadiths and Quranic verses. Apart from major causes of invalidation of wudu, scholars of different Islamic Jurisprudences (Fiqh) have given rulings on almost every possible scenario that breaks or does not break the wudu.
Vomiting is also one of the common conditions, one may come across during daily life routine. This important issue has been discussed in detail by all the Fiqh, including Fiqh Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali, as well as Fiqh Jaferi’ah. According to Fiqh Hanafi and Hanbali, wudu breaks in the event of a mouthful or a lot of vomiting. However, other Fiqh, such as Maliki and Shafi’i, as well as Fiqh Jaferi’ah are of the firm view that wudu remains intact if someone vomits, irrespective of its volume. However, as a general precaution, it is recommended by many scholars to redo wudu after vomiting, especially before standing up for regular daily prayer.
