Things That Mar (Break) Ablution – Basic 1 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (Third Term)

Things that mar wudu are actions or events that break or spoil ablution (wudu) and make it invalid, so a Muslim must make wudu again before praying. They include passing urine, faeces or gas, deep sleep, loss of consciousness and touching the private parts. Some other things, such as talking, eating and crying, do not break wudu.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• explain what “mar” means in “things that mar Wudu”;
• state why we need to know what breaks Wudu;
• list at least five things that break Wudu;
• list at least five things that do not break Wudu;
• say what to do when we are unsure whether our Wudu has broken.

What does “mar” mean?

Mar means to spoil, break or nullify.

When we say “things that mar Wudu”, we mean:

• things that break your Wudu
• things that make your Wudu invalid
• things that require you to make Wudu again

Why do we need to know what breaks Wudu?

1. Prayer is not valid without Wudu.
   • If your Wudu is broken, you must make new Wudu.
   • Otherwise, your prayer does not count.
2. To maintain purity.
   • Stay in a state of Wudu as much as possible.
   • Be ready to pray at any time.
3. To earn more rewards.
   • Renewing Wudu earns rewards.
   • Being in a constant state of purity is beloved.

What things break Wudu?

1. Anything exiting from the private parts

Urine (بَوْل, Bawl)

• Going to the toilet to urinate
• You must make new Wudu afterwards.

Faeces (غَائِط, Gha’it)

• Going to the toilet for stool
• You must make new Wudu afterwards.

Passing gas (ضُرَاط, Durat)

• Breaking wind
• Even if it is silent
• Even if there is no smell
• It still breaks Wudu.

The Prophet (SAW) said:

“If any of you feels something in his stomach and is not sure whether anything came out or not, he should not leave the mosque unless he hears a sound or smells an odour” (Hadith: Muslim)

This means: if you are not sure, assume your Wudu is still valid.

Any other discharge

• Madhiy (pre-seminal fluid)
• Wadiy (post-urination fluid)
• Anything exiting from the private parts breaks Wudu.

2. Deep sleep (نَوْم, Nawm)

What kind of sleep breaks Wudu?

• Sleeping while lying down (on a bed, floor or couch)
• Deep sleep even while sitting (you lose consciousness)
• Sleeping where you might fall over

What kind of sleep does not break Wudu?

• Light dozing while sitting firmly
• A quick nap while sitting upright (if you do not lose consciousness completely)
• Nodding off briefly

Why does deep sleep break Wudu?

• You are not in control.
• You might pass gas without knowing.
• You are not aware of what is happening.

The Prophet (SAW) said:

“The eye is the string of the anus. If the eyes sleep, the string is loosened” (Hadith: Abu Dawud)

3. Loss of consciousness (غَشْي, Ghashi)

Any of these breaks Wudu:

• Fainting
• Being unconscious
• Anaesthesia (medical)
• Severe dizziness where you lose awareness
• Coma

Why?

• The reason is the same as for deep sleep.
• You are not aware.
• You might lose control.

4. Touching the private parts (لَمْس, Lams)

What breaks Wudu:

• Touching your own private parts directly (without a barrier)
• Touching the front or back private parts
• Touching with your hand (palm or inside of the fingers)

The Prophet (SAW) said:

“Whoever touches his private parts should perform Wudu” (Hadith: Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Nasa’i, Ibn Majah)

What does not break Wudu:

• Touching through clothes
• Touching other parts of the body
• Touching another person’s child’s private parts (when changing diapers). Scholars’ opinions differ on this.

5. Eating camel meat (لَحْم الْإِبِل)

According to some scholars:

• Eating camel meat breaks Wudu.
• You must make new Wudu.

The Prophet (SAW) said:

“Should one perform ablution after eating camel meat?” He said: “Yes” (Hadith: Muslim)

Other scholars say:

• This was a specific ruling.
• It may not break Wudu.
• It is best to make new Wudu to be safe.

6. Vomiting (قَيْء, Qay’)

Large amount of vomit:

• A mouthful or more
• It breaks Wudu (according to some scholars).

Small amount:

• It does not break Wudu.

Note: Scholars differ on this. To be safe, if you vomit a lot, make new Wudu.

7. Bleeding (نَزِيف, Nazif)

Heavy bleeding:

• From a wound
• A lot of blood
• Some scholars say it breaks Wudu.

Light bleeding:

• A small cut
• A little blood
• Most scholars say it does not break Wudu.

The safer opinion: Light bleeding does not break Wudu. For heavy bleeding, make new Wudu to be sure.

8. Laughter during prayer (ضَحِك, Dahik)

Loud laughter that others can hear:

• It breaks Wudu (according to Hanafi scholars).
• You must make new Wudu and repeat the prayer.

Smiling:

• It does not break Wudu.
• You should still not laugh in prayer.
• Prayer should be offered with focus and respect.

What things do not break Wudu?

Talking

• Speaking does not break Wudu.
• You can talk after making Wudu.

Eating and drinking

• The exception is camel meat (according to some scholars).
• All other foods are fine.

Changing clothes

• Getting dressed
• Taking off clothes
• Neither affects Wudu.

Light sleep while sitting

• A brief nap sitting up
• Dozing off briefly
• This applies if you stay seated and do not fall.

Touching a spouse

• Shaking hands
• Hugging
• A light kiss
• (Some scholars differ on this.)

Touching others

• Shaking hands with anyone
• Hugging family
• Holding hands with children

Crying

• Tears do not break Wudu.
• This is true even if you cry a lot.

Small nosebleed

• A little blood from the nose
• Most scholars say it does not break Wudu.

Burping

• It comes from the stomach.
• It is not the same as passing gas.
• It does not break Wudu.

Doubting

• If you are not sure whether your Wudu broke, assume it is still valid.
• Do not make new Wudu based on doubt.

The Prophet (SAW) said:

“If any of you feels something in his stomach and doubts whether anything came out or not, he should not leave the mosque unless he hears a sound or smells an odour” (Hadith: Muslim)

How do we know our Wudu is marred, and what should we do?

You will know your Wudu is broken when:

• you use the toilet
• you pass gas (you will know)
• you fall into deep sleep
• you touch your private parts
• any other thing listed above happens

What to do:

1. Make new Wudu.
2. Do not delay.
3. Renew it properly.
4. Then you can pray.

Du’a when Wudu breaks: when you realise your Wudu has broken, say “Alhamdulillah” (Praise to Allah). This is because Allah has given you a chance to make new Wudu and earn more rewards.

When is Wudu compulsory or recommended?

When you must have Wudu:

• To perform Salah (prayer)
• To touch the Qur’an (Mushaf)
• To make Tawaf (circling the Ka’bah)

When Wudu is recommended:

• Before sleeping
• Before reading or reciting the Qur’an (from memory)
• Before Dhikr
• At all times

Important reminders about Wudu

1. Stay in Wudu as much as possible.

   The Prophet (SAW) said:

   “Shall I not tell you something by which Allah wipes away sins and raises the ranks? Performing Wudu well despite difficulty, taking many steps to the mosque, and waiting for the next prayer after prayer, that is jihad, that is jihad, that is jihad” (Hadith: Muslim)

2. Do not make Wudu based on doubt.
   • If you are not sure, assume you still have Wudu.
   • Shaytan whispers doubts.
   • Ignore waswas (whispers).
3. Learn the rules.
   • Know what breaks Wudu.
   • Know what does not.
   • This helps you maintain purity.
4. Renew Wudu before each prayer (Sunnah).
   • Do this even if you still have Wudu.
   • You earn extra reward.
   • You feel fresher.

Quick reference: what breaks Wudu and what does not

Remember:

• When in doubt, your Wudu is still valid.
• Make new Wudu when you are certain it broke.
• Stay in a state of purity as much as possible.
• May Allah keep us always in Wudu!

Evaluation

Choose the correct answer.

1. Using the toilet _____ Wudu.
   1. doesn’t break
   2. breaks
   3. improves
2. Passing gas _____ Wudu.
   1. breaks
   2. doesn’t break
   3. strengthens
3. Deep sleep while lying down _____ Wudu.
   1. doesn’t affect
   2. breaks
   3. perfects
4. Eating food (not camel meat) _____ Wudu.
   1. breaks
   2. doesn’t break
   3. sometimes breaks
5. If you doubt whether your Wudu broke, you should _____.
   1. make new Wudu
   2. assume it’s still valid
   3. ask everyone

Assignment

1. Memorise 5 things that break Wudu.
2. Memorise 5 things that do not break Wudu.
3. Make Wudu before every prayer this week.
4. Teach your family what breaks Wudu.