Question: What things break wudu' in a nutshell?
ANSWER
Seven things break wudu':

1. Things that are discharged from the front or back passage break wudu'. (If liquid medicine dropped into the ear goes out through the mouth or if a piece of cotton inserted into the urethra becomes wet and falls or if the medication put into the uterus comes back, all of them invalidate wudu'.)

2. Unclean things that come out of the mouth break wudu'. (Vomiting a mouthful or spitting blood invalidates wudu'.)

3. Emission of such things as blood and pus from the skin breaks wudu'. (If liquid is painfully dicharged from the eyes due to an eye disease or if blood or pus issuing from the nose or ear comes out of it, all of them break wudu'. But they do not break wudu' according to the Maliki Madhhab.)

4. Sleeping breaks wudu'. (If one sleeps by leaning on something, one's wudu is nullified if one feels as if falling when the thing on which one leans on is taken away.)

5. Fainting breaks wudu'. (Having an epileptic fit or insanity invalidates wudu'.)

6. Laughter in salat breaks wudu'.

7. Mubasharat-i fahisha, that is, wudu' breaks when a wife and husband physically rub their private parts on each other when they are naked.

Question: It is written in the book Endless Bliss in its section that deals with the seventh nullifier of wudu': "The seventh cause is mubasharat-i fahisha, that is, when a man and woman physically rub their private parts (saw’atain) on each other. In this case, the ablution of both the man and woman is broken." However, some Islamic books state that this act does not break wudu'. Which one should we act upon?
ANSWER
There are two different reports on this issue. Hadrat Ibn Abidin says:

"When a wife and husband rub their private parts on each other, their wudu', even if there is no discharge of fluid, is nullified according to Imam-i A'zam and Imam-i Abu Yusuf, which is the established and relied upon ruling. According to Imam-i Muhammad, it does not break wudu' if there is no discharge. The author of the book al-Haik accepted what Imam-i Muhammad said as valid. The authors of al-Bahr and an-Nahr stated, "The valid one is the statement of Imam-i A'zam and Imam-i Abu Yusuf, which the book al-Hilya narrates" (Radd-ul-mukhtar).

Though some books base the ruling on the statement of Imam-i Muhammad, it is written in such valuable books as Halabi, Durr-ul-mukhtar, and Mizan-ul-kubra that the statement of Imam-i A'zam and Imam-i Abu Yusuf is muftabih (the chosen report for fatwa), and one must act upon it.

Of course it is best to be on the safe side in such matters. Besides, not to do an act that breaks wudu' according to another madhhab is mustahab. For example, in the Shafi'i Madhhab, touching the hand of one's wife or of a marriageable woman with a bare hand invalidates one's wudu'. Therefore, if there is not a situation that causes difficulty, it is mustahab for a Hanafi man to renew his wudu' when he touches his wife. Though it is good to be on the safe side all the time, it is better, when there is great difficulty, to make use of dispensations and exemptions allowed instead of causing trouble for yourself.

Question: It is written in the book Endless Bliss, "If something is inserted entirely and taken out, it breaks both wudu' and fast." Does a suppository that is inserted into the rectum or vagina break wudu' and fast? Additionally, a pill is placed into the vagina by means of a stick as medication. Is the ruling for this different?
ANSWER
If something is inserted into the body entirely in the daytime, it invalidates the fast. Accordingly, a suppository invalidates one's fast. If half portion of a thing remains outside, it does not make a fast void. A suppository breaks wudu' if it comes out after having been inserted into the body. But it does not break wudu' if it does not come out after insertion. The ruling for the pill put by means of a stick is different because when the stick is inserted into the vagina it is smeared with the wetness inside, even if it is a little. When the wetness comes out with the stick, the wudu' is invalidated.

Question: If a person laughs loudly when performing salat al-janazah or sajdah at-tilawah (prostration of recitation), does it break his wudu'?
ANSWER
It does not break his wudu', but salat al-janaza and sajda at-tilawah become invalid. (Radd-ul-mukhtar, Fatawa al-Hindiyya)

Question: Does swallowing the blood in the mouth break one's wudu' and fast?
ANSWER
Inside the mouth, in terms of wudu', is deemed an inner limb, but it is considered an external limb when one is in a state of fasting. That is the reason why the blood issuing from a tooth or a wound inside the mouth while remaining in the mouth does not break wudu'. But after coming out of the mouth, it breaks wudu' if the blood predominates over the saliva. (Halabi)

In some cases the mouth is thought of as an internal part of the body. Hence, if a fasting person swallows his saliva, his fast will not break. It is like something dirty inside the body passing from stomach to intestines. Bleeding from an injury in the mouth or blood coming from the stomach to the mouth doesn’t break one's fast or wudu'. When one spits out or swallows this blood, if the quantity of the saliva is greater than the blood, that is, if it is yellow in color, they are still not broken. It is the same when other things come to the mouth from the stomach, in which case neither the wudu' nor the fast is broken. If a mouthful (comes to the mouth and) goes out of the mouth, both are broken. The inside of the mouth is sometimes considered to be an outer part of the body. The fast is not broken when water is taken into the mouth. (Bahr-ur-raiq, Jawhara)

This means that the fast is not broken if the blood in the mouth is spat. The wudu' is not broken if it is swallowed. If blood is swallowed, the fast is broken. If it is spat, then the wudu' is broken.

Question: My gums frequently bleed. When I spit, I see that blood predominates over saliva. Besides, I experience nose bleeding once a month or a week. Do such bleedings that occur involuntarily nullify one's wudu'?
ANSWER
Yes, they nullify one's wudu'. But if one imitates the Maliki Madhhab, such bleedings that happen beyond one's will do not break one's wudu' as they are considered to be excuses that occur involuntarily. Blood oozing from a wound, boil or piles, or urinary incontinence is an excuse, which does not nullify wudu' according to the Maliki Madhhab. For this reason, we advise you to imitate the Maliki Madhhab.

Question: Is blood's predominating over saliva judged in terms of color?
ANSWER
Yes, it is judged in terms of color.

Question: If such insects as a leech, bedbug, or mosquito sucks blood from one's body, is one's wudu' nullified?
ANSWER
If a leech sucks much blood, it spreads over the skin, thus breaking one's wudu'. If the above-mentioned insects other than the leech suck blood, it does not nullify one's wudu'.

Question: Is wudu' nullified when a mosquito bites?
ANSWER
No, it is not nullified.

Question: Does a blood clot in mucus break wudu'?
ANSWER
A blood clot does not break wudu'. Blood that is flowing breaks it.

Question: Is wudu' nullified if thick blood comes out of the nose?
ANSWER
It is not nullified.

Question: If blood that equals in size to a pinhead issues, does it break wudu'?
ANSWER
It does not break wudu'.

Question: Supposing a person is considered a ma'zur (an excused person) due to bleeding on his hand. Will his wudu' be nullified if his foot bleeds?
ANSWER
Yes, it will be nullified.

Question: If liquid issues from a sore when it is scratched, does it break wudu'?
ANSWER
There are scholars who say that the liquid that issues from eczema, heat rash between fingers, blisters, skin disease caused by mites, red spots (due to chicken pox), and from the place where a cataplasm is applied does not break wudu'. One can act upon this in case of extreme necessity. (Radd-ul-mukhtar)

Question: When I perform wudu', some pimples on my face burst and oozes blood for a long time. What should I do when making wudu'?
ANSWER
The easiest way to follow concerning bleeding is to imitate the Maliki Madhhab. If you, while performing wudu', intend that you are imitating the Maliki Madhhab, the blood coming out of your pimples will not break your wudu'.

Question: Does yellow or colorless liquid issuing from a wound break wudu'?
ANSWER
The colorless liquid that issues painfully from a wound breaks wudu'. But if issues without pain, it does not break wudu'. Because there are scholars who say that colorless liquid, no matter whether it issues painfully or painlessly, does not nullify wudu', those with scabies, chicken pox, or eczema can act upon the word of these scholars.

Question: Chinese patches called Chi Patch are applied to the bottom of the feet to treat some diseases. These patches absorb toxins from the body. When they are removed, they become very wet as if having been soaked in water. Does this toxic liquid that issues from healthy skin nullify wudu'?
ANSWER
It comes under the same ruling as sweat. It does not nullify wudu' in any of the four madhhabs.

Question: If a medicine administered subcutaneously by means of a syringe comes out of the skin, does it break wudu'?
ANSWER
It does not break wudu'. Wudu' is nullified if the medicine comes out with blood.

Question: The oily medicine that I had dripped into my ear went out through my mouth and nose. Was my wudu' nullified?
ANSWER
If the oil dripped into the ear goes out through the nose, it does not break wudu'. It breaks wudu' when it goes out through the mouth.

Question: Does it nullify wudu' to sleep by taking the sitting position of salat or sitting cross-legged by putting two elbows on two knees and resting two hands against the chin or to sleep on a stool by resting the elbow on the knee?
ANSWER
Yes, it does.

Question: Does sleeping by sitting on a stool break wudu'?
ANSWER
If one sits cautiously and sleeps, one's wudu' will not be nullified.

Question: Does sleeping when sitting on a chair or in an armchair by putting my arms on my knees without leaning my back against the (arm)chair nullify my wudu'?
ANSWER
If you sleep in a self-possessed manner, the wudu' will not be broken. Self-possession means being cautious about keeping the wudu'. If one does not fall over when the thing on which one rests is taken away, one is considered to be sleeping cautiously, and it does not nullify one's wudu'.

Question: Is one's wudu' nullified if tears flow due to headache?
ANSWER
It is not nullified. One's wudu' is nullified if tears flow due to a pain in the eyes.

Question: If one sheds tears when chopping an onion, does it break one's wudu'?
ANSWER
No, it does not.

Question: Does eye crust formation nullify wudu'?
ANSWER
No, it does not.

Question: Does thick substance coming out of pimples or blackheads on one’s face break one's wudu'?
ANSWER
If what you have mentioned is something containing sebaceous matter, it does not.

Question: If one, after taking a pill, gets dizzy and wavers when walking, is one's wudu' nullified?
ANSWER
Dizziness does not break wudu'. But if the pill has intoxicated, wudu' is broken.

Question: If ear discharge (otorrhea) comes out without pain, does it break wudu'?
ANSWER
Yes, it breaks wudu'.

Question: Does issuing of pinworms and worms break wudu'?
ANSWER
Yes, it does.

Question: When a facial hair is pulled out, is wudu' broken if sebaceous matter in the hair root comes out together with the hair?
ANSWER
No, it is not.

Question: Is one's wudu' nullified if one rips out a hangnail?
ANSWER
One's wudu' is not nullified. Cutting one's hair, beard, moustache, or nails does not nullify one's wudu', either. It is not necessary to wash the places cut. If one has applied some ointment on a wound on one's skin, one washes over the ointment [when performing wudu']. If washing will harm the wound, one makes masah (wiping) over it. If the ointment drains off after washing, one washes under it if the wound has healed. If it has not healed, one does not wash it.

Question: Every time a person performs salat, he feels as if he is breaking wind. At other times it does not occur. What should he do?
ANSWER
There is a hadith-i sharif about this, which states that it is an act of the Devil and that he blows into the anus and misgives the human. Therefore, our Master the Prophet declares: "Unless you hear a sound or notice a smell, your wudu' will not be nullified." This means that what you experience is a waswasa (an evil suggestion insinuated by the Devil), and you should ignore it. If one really suffers from breaking wind involuntarily (incontinence with wind), then one should imitate the Maliki Madhhab. In the Maliki Madhhab, involuntary emission of wind does not invalidate one's wudu'.

Question: If one sometimes experiences involuntary loss of urine or wind (incontinence with urine or wind), does it nullify one's wudu'?
ANSWER
It does not if one imitates the Maliki Madhhab.

Question: If a man passes gas through his urethra or a woman through her vagina, does it break his or her wudu'?
ANSWER
It does not break his or her wudu'.

Question: Does using perfume that contains alcohol break one's wudu'?
ANSWER
It does not break wudu'. Nor is it an obstacle to the validity of salat.

Question: Does looking at marriageable (non-mahram) women with sexual desire break wudu' according to the madhhabs of Hanafi and Maliki?
ANSWER
Looking at them with sexual desire is haram, but it does not break one's wudu'. It wipes out the rewards one earns in return for acts of worship.

Question: Does it break ghusl or wudu' to look at pornographic photos or to watch porn movies?
ANSWER
It breaks neither ghusl nor wudu'. But it is prohibited (haram) and sinful to watch them. If mazi (a discharge of fluid upon excitement) is released, one's wudu' is nullified. If mani (seminal fluid) is released, one's ghusl is nullified.

Question: Does using skin cream or cologne that contains alcohol not break wudu'?
ANSWER
It does not break wudu'. Nor is it an obstacle to the validity of salat.

Question: We see bikini-clad women on the beach. Does it nullify our ghusl or wudu'?
ANSWER
Looking at bikini-clad women does not break either the ghusl or the wudu', but it is a sin to do so.

Question: Is the wudu' of a woman nullified if men see her hair after she has made wudu'?
ANSWER
No, it is not. Committing a sin is different from an act that nullifies wudu'.

Question: If a male or female gynecologist or a midwife delivers a woman's baby in Ramadan in a state of wudu', is his or her fast, ghusl, or wudu' nullified?
ANSWER
If a Hanafi female gynecologist or a midwife delivers a woman's baby in the holy Ramadan, her fast, wudu', or ghusl will not be nullified. It is not permissible to have a male gynecologist deliver a baby if there is no extreme necessity to do so.

Question: Does gambling break wudu'?
ANSWER
Gambling is a major sin, but it does not break wudu'. However, it is mustahab to renew wudu'. (The Fatwas of Abussuud Efendi)

Question: Does it break wudu' to touch playing cards or to play with them for nothing but fun?
ANSWER
No, it does not. However, it is makruh to play cards. It is haram to have a game of cards by wagering something, be it a cup of tea.

Question: Does playing backgammon break wudu'?
ANSWER
It is stated in a hadith-i sharif:
(The similitude of a person who performs salat after playing backgammon is like the one who performs salat after making wudu' with pus and pig blood.) [Imam-i Ahmad]
That is, playing backgammon does not break wudu', but it is better to renew it.

Question: An arrow pierced Hadrat Ali's foot. Not to feel the pain, he ordered, "Take it out when I begin salat." But the wound was oozing blood. Because his wudu' broke due to bleeding, did his salat not become invalid? Why did he perform salat in this state?
ANSWER
A person whose wound is oozing blood is classified as an excused one. He can perform salat in this state. Similarly, a person who is afflicted by incontinence with urine or wind can perform salat as an excused person. Secondly, bleeding does not nullify wudu' in the other three madhhabs. Maybe Hadrat Ali's ijtihad was the same.

Question: The Wahhabis in Mecca lie and sleep, and then they stand for salat. Does sleeping not break wudu' according to their madhhab?
ANSWER
Sleeping by lying breaks wudu' in all of the four madhhabs. This act of theirs proves that they are out of the four madhhabs. There are some differences among the four madhhabs concerning the ruling about sleeping nullifying wudu':

In the Hanafi Madhhab, if one sleeps with one's rear not firmly seated, e.g., by lying down on one's side or back or by leaning on one's elbows or something else, one's wudu' is nullified. If one does not topple over when the thing one leans on is taken away, one's wudu' is not nullified. If one sleeps without falling when performing salat, one's wudu' is not nullified. Outside of salat, one's wudu' is not nullified either if one sleeps with thighs upward and the head on the knees or by kneeling on the ground or by sitting cross-legged or by sitting with buttocks on the floor and both feet sticking out toward right-hand side.

In the Hanbali Madhhab, sleeping breaks one's wudu' in all cases regardless of one's sleeping position. However, light sleep during a short sitting or standing does not break wudu'.

In the Maliki Madhhab, deep sleep, even if it lasts for only a little time, breaks wudu'. It breaks one's wudu' no matter whether one is lying, sitting, making prostration, or standing. If it lasts for a very short period of time, one's wudu' is not nullified.

In the Shafi'i Madhhab, if one's rear is firmly seated, sleeping does not break one's wudu'. Sleeping positions other than this nullify wudu'.

As is seen, sleeping by lying breaks wudu' in all of the four madhhabs. (Al-Fiqh 'ala al- Madhahib al-Arba'ah, Mizan-ul Kubra, Fatawa al-Hindiyya)

This means that sleeping without resting the body on something does not break wudu' only in the Hanafi Madhhab. Therefore, it is not permissible in any of the four madhhabs for Fallaheen to stand for salat without making wudu' after having slept by lying.

Question: Supposing a person has delayed Salat al-Asr until there is 20 minutes for the time for Salat al-Maghrib arrives. If he laughs loudly when performing it, his salat becomes invalid. But does his wudu' become invalid, too?
ANSWER
Because he is within a time at which it is makruh to perform a salat, his wudu' is not nullified. If he were not within the time during which it is makruh to perform a salat, his wudu', too, would be nullified. (Fatawa al-Hindiyya)

Question: A person urinates at a place where there is no water. Afterwards, he finds water. He makes wudu' first with that water and then washes the smear of urine on his private parts. If he touches his penis while washing it, will his wudu' be nullified?
ANSWER
No, his wudu' will not be nullified. According to the Shafi'i Madhhab, it breaks the wudu' of a man and woman (if she touches her genital area). According to the madhhabs of Maliki and Hanbali, it breaks only the wudu' of the man.

Question: If a tonsil stone that is as big as a chickpea comes into the mouth when one is making wudu', does it break one's wudu'?
ANSWER
No, it does not.

Question: Does earwax break wudu'?
ANSWER
It does not break wudu'.

Question: If a person's hemorrhoids come out and he drives them back in with his hand or with a cloth, will his wudu' be broken?
ANSWER
Yes, it will be broken because his hand has been smeared with something dirty. That is, something inside the body has come out. (Fatawa al-Hindiyya)

Question: Does smoking or drinking beer break wudu'?
ANSWER
Neither of them breaks wudu'. If a person drinks urine or blood, which is haram to drink, he has committed a haram, but his wudu' is not nullified.

Question: If the blood or pus oozing from a wound soaks through the bandage applied to it, does it break wudu'?
ANSWER
Yes, one's wudu' is nullified. If blood does not come out of the bandage, the wudu' is not nullified. If the bandage consists of two or three layers and some of the layers underneath are soaked with blood, one's wudu' is nullified, too. (Fatawa al-Hindiyya)

In such cases, if one imitates the Maliki Madhhab, one's wudu' is not broken due to bleeding.