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Interrupting Wudu

Answered as per Shafi'i Fiqh by Qibla.com

Answered by Sidi Moustafa Elqabbany

 If one is performing wudu, and forgets to wipe the feet, how much time is allowed to pass by until the wudu has to be repeated? Meaning, can one perform wudu, and not rub the feet, and then come back 5-10 minutes later and finish the wudu?

Answer:
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate.  All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all things.  May Allah bless and grant peace to our Master Muhammad, his family, and companions.

Preliminaries

Only the head and ears may be wiped in wudu.  Everything else, including the feet, must be washed.

Washing means that water must flow over the limb.  If water touches the limb without flowing over it, this is insufficient.  [Mufid Awam Al-Muslimeen, pp. 34-35]

Wiping means that moisture (from plain water) must reach the area.  The water need not flow.  [Nayl-ur-Raja, p. 22]

Interrupting Wudu

It is sunnah (not obligatory) to finish one’s wudu quickly, such that one washes each limb before the previous one has dried, assuming normal weather.  If one pauses for long intervals during wudu, it is still valid without having to renew the intention.  [Reliance, e5.17]

Allah the Exalted knows best and He alone gives success.

Moustafa Elqabbany
Metro Vancouver, Canada

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