Method of Wudu (Ablution) of the Prophet and the Differences between Shia and Sunni Practices
What was the style of the Prophet's ablution, and which one between the Shi'a and Sunni practices resembles the Prophet's ablution?
Shi'a Muslims attribute their method of ablution to the tradition of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Based on historical evidence, there was no reported difference in the method of performing ablution until the time of Caliph Uthman. During Uthman's rule, a new method of ablution became common. After Uthman, Imam Ali (PBUH) reminded the people of the Prophet's method, but Uthman's method continued to prevail among Sunni Muslims.
Differences between Shi'a and Sunni Ablution
The primary sources for Islamic legal rulings are the Quran and Sunnah. Every issue must conform to these two sources. Ablution is one of the purifications in Islamic law, and its rules and conditions must be derived from these two sources. There are differences in the method of ablution between Shi'a and Sunnis, which stem from different interpretations (understanding of the verse) of the Ablution Verse: ﴾O you who have believed, when you rise to pray, wash your faces and your hands to the elbows, and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles.﴿
For Shi'a, it is necessary to wash the face and hands from the elbow to the fingertips and to wipe the head and feet in ablution. However, Sunni Muslims interpret the ruling as washing the hands from the fingertips to the elbow (which is the opposite of the Shi'a practice) and washing the feet as a condition for valid ablution.
Beginning of the Disagreement in Ablution Among Muslims
No Disagreement in Ablution Until the Time of the Third Caliph
There was no disagreement regarding the method of ablution among Muslims during the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Abu Bakr, and Umar. The only narration of a difference in the method of ablution during the time of Umar relates to wiping over shoes or sandals. The narration says: "A man performed ablution and wiped over his shoes before entering the mosque to pray. Imam Ali (PBUH) said: 'Woe to you, you are praying without ablution!' (a hint that his ablution was invalid). The man replied: 'Umar instructed it.' Imam Ali (PBUH) took his hand and brought him to Umar. He said: 'Look, this man is attributing a false claim to you.' Umar said: 'Yes, I instructed it because the Prophet (PBUH) did such wiping.' Imam Ali (PBUH) asked: 'Was this wiping before the Surah Al-Ma'idah or after it?' Umar said: 'I do not know.' Imam Ali (PBUH) replied: 'Then why are you issuing a fatwa when you do not know?'
From this narration, it is understood that wiping over shoes was a common practice. This disagreement is no longer prevalent among the schools of thought, and the current disagreement lies in whether to wash or wipe the feet.
Disagreement in Ablution Method During Uthman’s Time
Uthman sought to clarify the method of ablution of the Prophet and attributed his specific method to the Prophet (PBUH). The most important sources of Sunni Islam also affirm this claim, as reflected in Kanz al-‘Ummal, which identifies Uthman as the origin of the disagreement during his caliphate.
Muslim also narrates in his Sahih al-Bukhari that: "Uthman performed ablution and said: 'The people transmit matters from the Prophet (PBUH) that I do not know, but I saw the Prophet (PBUH) performing ablution like me.' Uthman washed his face and hands three times, and after wiping his head, he washed his feet instead of wiping them and said: 'Anyone who performs ablution in this manner will have his past sins forgiven.'"
This method of ablution was narrated by only three people: Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As, Abdullah ibn Zayd, and Rabi'ah, while Imam Ali (PBUH), the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH), and the wives of the Prophet (PBUH) did not narrate such a practice of the Prophet's ablution.
Actions of Imam Ali (PBUH) to Prevent the Disagreement in Ablution
Imam Ali (PBUH) took measures to prevent the innovation that had taken place:
- In some narrations, it is mentioned that Imam Ali (PBUH) asked for a water vessel, washed his face and hands (each twice), and wiped his head and feet. He then said: "Whoever asks about the ablution of the Prophet (PBUH), this is how it was. This is the ablution of someone who does not innovate."
- By the command of Imam Ali (PBUH), several individuals were appointed to record and compile the prophetic traditions in various sciences and rulings. For example, Ali ibn Abi Rafi' and his brother Ubayd Allah were tasked with writing a book on jurisprudence (ablution, prayer, etc.).
External Links
- This entry is derived from the book "Wudu' al-Nabi" by Sayyid Ali Shahrastani, Dar al-Mu'arraj al-Arabi, Beirut.