Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Question: I read that the integral actions (arkan) of Wudu in Hanafi fiqh are four: washing the face, washing the hands, wiping a quarter of the head and washing the feet. If so, is a person who makes wudu without washing his mouth and wiping his ears considered to have a valid wudu?
Answer: Walaikum assalam,
The integral actions (arkan) of wudu are indeed only four. Washing the mouth and nose, and wiping the ears are a confirmed sunna (sunna mu’akkada).
Leaving a confirmed sunna does not affect the validity of wudu. However, if you leave it without an excuse it is blameworthy (yastahiqqu al-lawm), and making it a habit to leave it is sinful because it is considered a turning away from the sunna (inveterate practice) of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace).
He said, “Whoever turns away from my sunna is not of me.” [=not of those who follow my way as they have been commanded to.]
And Allah knows best.
Wassalam,
Faraz Rabbani.