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Answered by 2 scholars PrayerSA-0044

What breaks wudu?

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Imam Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah· محمد بن أبي بكر ابن قيم الجوزيةClassical Scholar

I'lām al-Muwaqqi'īn

I''lām al-Muwaqqi''īn 4/278–286

What is established by clear evidence to break the wudu'' is: (1) anything that exits from the two private parts — urine, stool, wind, madhi, wadi, or maniyy; (2) deep sleep where one loses awareness, on the authority of: "Whoever sleeps, let him perform wudu''." (Abu Dawud 203, sahih) — light dozing while seated firmly does not break it, as the Companions used to wait for the Prophet (ﷺ) and their heads would nod yet they did not renew wudu''; (3) loss of consciousness through fainting, intoxication, or insanity — by stronger reasoning than sleep; (4) eating camel meat, on the authentic hadith: the Prophet (ﷺ) was asked, "Should we perform wudu'' from the meat of camels?" He said, "Yes." (Muslim 360). Touching one''s private part with the bare hand requires wudu'' according to the strongest position ("Whoever touches his private part, let him perform wudu''." Abu Dawud 181, sahih). What does NOT break wudu'': touching a woman with desire (the verse ''or you have touched women'' refers to intercourse — Ibn Abbas), bleeding from a wound, vomiting, eating cooked food (this was abrogated), or doubt without certainty — for the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Let him not leave until he hears a sound or finds an odour." ([al-Bukhari 137](/hadith/bukhari/137)).

Key Takeaway

Confirmed nullifiers: anything from private parts, deep sleep, loss of consciousness, eating camel meat, and touching the private part. Touching a woman, bleeding, and doubt without certainty do not break wudu.

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