Wudu, also known as ablution, is a compulsory action before performing any religious duty, such as prayer. The subject of the performance of wudu is dealt with comprehensively in all Islamic schools of thought, including the four popular jurisprudences, Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali.
Various matters related to wudu are discussed in detail within each school of Islamic jurisprudence. The subject matters, such as conditions under which wudu becomes compulsory, circumstances under which wudu becomes invalid, and how to perform wudu, and many others, are discussed comprehensively by scholars.
While there is a consensus among them in the majority of the matters related to wudu, differences of opinion and varying rulings also exist on certain debatable issues. Obligation of doing wudu after eating camel’s meat is one of those issues, where a difference of opinion exists among different scholars, based on the interpretation of various Hadiths. Per the Hanbali school of thought, it is compulsory to do wudu after eating camel meat, whereas others, especially the Hanafi and Maliki, are of the view that it is not.
So, on what grounds does Hanablis think it necessary to perform wudu after eating camel meat?
Wudu – Virtues and Importance in Islam
Before we could understand the reasons behind the Hanbali point of view about the performance of wudu after eating camel meat, let’s try to understand the importance of Wudu in Islam.
Wudu (وضوء) or ablution is an Islamic practice of cleansing, purifying, and preparing oneself for prayer or any other act of worship, such as reading the Quran. It is ritual purification in Islam and is a religious obligation, as mentioned in many Quranic verses. The 6th verse of Surah Al-Ma’ida narrates the importance and procedure of performing wudu in detail.
Likewise, the compulsion and importance of doing wudu, while preparing yourself for prayer, are also mentioned in several Hadiths. Hadith 225 of Sahih Muslim narrates the importance of the obligatory nature of wudu before offering prayer.
Translation
The prayer of none amongst you would be accepted in a state of impurity until he performs ablution.
Similarly, Hadith 136 of Sahih Al-Bukhari mentions the virtues of performing wudu regularly.
Translation
On the Day of Resurrection, my followers will be called “Al-Ghurr-ul- Muhajjalun” from the trace of ablution and whoever can increase the area of his radiance should do so (i.e. by performing ablution regularly)
So, the obligation of doing wudu is established as a religious requirement. It is the basic requirement for coming into the state of ritual purification, which is a prerequisite for performing any worship, including prayer.
Why is Wudu Necessary After Eating Camel Meat?
Generally, invalidation of wudu is not related to eating something. However, many scholars are of the view that it is compulsory to do wudu after eating camel meat. It is based on some authentic references from the Hadith. A very popular Hadith, appearing in Sahih Muslim at number 360a describes it in detail, giving a comparison between the meat of a Camel and that of a lamb.
Translation
A man asked the Messenger of Allah (may peace he 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) camel’s flesh. He (again) said: May I say a prayer in the sheepfolds? He (the Messenger of Allah) said: Yes. He (the narrator) again said: May I say prayer where camels lie down? He (the Holy Prophet) said: No.
The specific questions and precise response by the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ clearly differentiate between the Camel and the Lamb. It quite explicitly mentions that wudu is necessary after eating camel meat, whereas it is not compulsory after eating mutton. Based on this authentic Hadith, many scholars opine that one should perform wudu after eating Camel meat.
· Difference of Opinion
Some other scholars are of the view that this Hadith was later abrogated. However, no authentic Hadith reference is available that explicitly mentions the abrogation of this Hadith. On the other hand, scholars of other schools of thought, especially Hanafi and Maliki, had opined that repeating wudu after eating camel meat is not obligatory. In this context, they interpret this Hadith in a different way.
Despite all that, there is no authentic Hadith that abrogates the Hadith about the performance of wudu after eating camel meat. So, in the absence of any authentic reference, it cannot be assumed that this Hadith was later on abrogated.
· Reasons Behind Repeating Wudu After Eating Camel Meat
Although the exact wisdom or reasons behind the necessity of repeating wudu after eating camel meat cannot be ascertained from the content of the relevant Hadith, the scholars have derived and discussed various possible explanations.
Some of the most relevant reasons for performing wudu after eating camel meat may include:
- Irrespective of searching for any reasons behind this ruling, the most relevant thing is that it is advised by the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ in clear words. Hence, it is a matter of following the words of the Prophet. It shows our obedience as well.
- Camels have a different set of temperament, as compared to other animals. Their specific traits may affect the human body and soul in a different way that may require purification.
- Camels are considered to have some devilish traits as well. Hence, it is necessary to perform wudu after eating its meat, so that its impact can be minimized.
- Camels are well-known for their aggressive and wild nature. To protect oneself from its impact, it is important to perform purification in the form of wudu after eating its meat.
- From a medical point of view, Camel meat can provoke human nerves; hence, it is often advised to hot-tempered people, by the experts, not to eat camel meat. However, performing wudu after eating its meat is also known to facilitate calmness of nerves.
IMPORTANT
- Since there is no authentic Hadith reference that evidences the abrogation of the Hadith about performing wudu after eating camel meat, considering it to have been taken back cannot be justified.
- Even if it is accepted that the said Hadith stands abrogated, still performing wudu after eating camel meat cannot be referred to as illegal. One can perform wudu at any time, even without a reason.
- This Hadith specifically addresses eating camel meat; hence, it could have been abrogated by specifically mentioning the eating of camel meat. But there is no such authentic and specific Hadith available on record. Therefore, the Hadith about doing wudu after eating camel meat should be followed.
Conclusion
Performing wudu before prayer or any other worship is mandatory as per Islamic teachings. Likewise, the Islamic teachings are also very clear about how to perform wudu, when it is necessary to perform wudu, and under what circumstances wudu is broken or gets invalid, necessitating its reperformance.
As a general ruling, wudu does not break if you eat something. However, an authentic Hadith mentions that you need to perform wudu again after eating camel meat. Accordingly, a vast majority of Muslims, especially those following the Hanbali school of thought, strictly adhere to this requirement, whereas those following other jurisprudences are of the view that this Hadith was abrogated, later on.
However, no authentic Hadith reference is available to substantiate their viewpoint. Hence, the ruling that one has to perform wudu again after eating camel meat is still valid and is followed by the followers of Hanbali jurisprudence. Lastly, performing wudu at any time is not prohibited; hence, it can be done after eating camel meat as well.
