Does bleeding from wounds or cuts break wudhu?

Al-jawab billahi at-taufeeq (the answer with Allah’s guidance)

The flowing of blood and making Wudhu is a controversial issue among scholars. According to Imam Abu Hanifah (RA), it will break the Wudhu. However, according to Imam Shaf’i & Imam Malik (RA) the Wudhu will still remain intact.

Proof of Imam Shafi & Imam Malik (RA) is from the Hadith of Jabir (RA),

Narrated Jabir ibn Abdullah:

We proceeded in the company of the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alihi Wa Sallam) for the battle of Dhat ar-Riqa. One of the Muslims killed the wife of one of the unbelievers. He (the husband of the woman killed) took an oath saying: I shall not rest until I kill one of the companions of Muhammad.

He went out following the footsteps of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alihi Wa Sallam). The Prophet (Sallallahu Alihi wa Sallam) encamped at a certain place. He said: Who will keep a watch on us? A person from the Muhajirun (Emigrants) and another from the Ansar (Helpers) responded. He said: Go to the mouth of the mountain-pass. When they went to the mouth of the mountain-pass the man from the Muhajirun lay down while the man from the Ansar stood praying.

The man (enemy) came to them. When he saw the person he realised that he was the watchman of the Muslims. He shot him with an arrow and hit the target. But he (took the arrow out and) threw it away. He (the enemy) then shot three arrows. Then he (the Muslim) bowed and prostrated and awoke his companion. When he (the enemy) perceived that they (the Muslims) had become aware of his presence, he ran away.

When the man from the Muhajirun saw the (man from the Ansar) bleeding, he asked him: Glory be to Allah! Why did you not wake me up the first time when he shot at you.

He replied: I was busy reciting a chapter of the Qur’an. I did not like to leave it.
( Abu Dawud, Book 1, Number 0198)

2) Imam Shaf’i second proof is from the Aathar (actions) of the Sahabah (RA).

1) The proof of Imam Abu Hanifah (RA), is the Marfu’ (elevated) Hadith, “Wudhu is necessary for every flowing blood.” (Al-Darqutni reports in his Sunan)

-The answer to the first proof of Imam Shaf’i (RA), the Hadith of Jabir (RA), is that the Sahabi who got shot was Ubbad ibn Bishr (RA) he was so busy praying Salah and reciting the Quran that he did not notice that he got shot or he noticed but did not leave reciting the Quran out of love and respect.

Also, there are no reports regarding this from the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam), and without the reports from the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) one cannot give preference of Aathar (actions of the Sahabi) over other Ahadith.

The answer to the second proof of Imam Shaf’i is that the Aathar (actions) of The Sahabah cannot clash against the Marfu’ Saheeh (sound elevated) Ahadeeth.

(Darse Tirmidhi Vol.1 Pg. 316-320)

And Only Allah Ta’ala Knows Best.

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Moulana Qamruz Zaman
London, UK