Do You Have to Make Wudu for Every Prayer? Understanding Wudu Requirements

Hi again! Wudu is one of the most common practices before prayer. Why? Wudu is the most important way to cleanse oneself from minor hadas (الحَدَثُ الأَصْغَرُ). One of the conditions for prayer is purity from minor hadas. These two aspects make wudu inseparable from prayer. This fact raises a common question among some Muslims: do you have to make wudu for every prayer?

Regardless of your reason for opening this article, I am confident you are looking for an answer to the question: do you have to make wudu for every prayer? Don't worry! That’s what I will explain today. Trust me! You just need to read this article to the end!

When Should You Make Wudu?

First of all, let me address a basic question on this topic: when should you make wudu? Understanding this well is crucial because it will help you grasp the answer to the main topic of this discussion. Moreover, some Muslims may not fully understand it. I assume you don’t want to be one of them, do you?!

Read Also: What Types of Farts Break Wudu?

In general, there are two conditions that require you to make wudu:

• If you have minor hadas (الحَدَثُ الأَصْغَرُ) and are going to perform acts of worship that require purity from minor hadas or wudu.

In Islam, several acts of worship require you to be free from minor hadas (الحَدَثُ الأَصْغَرُ) and major hadas (الحَدَثُ الأَكْبَرُ) while performing them, such as prayer, Tawaf, and holding the Quran. You are strictly prohibited from engaging in these acts of worship if you have either minor or major hadas.

For instance, if you need to be pure from minor hadas (الحَدَثُ الأَصْغَرُ) and major hadas (الحَدَثُ الأَكْبَرُ) while performing them, then in the context of this discussion, if you have minor hadas, you should remove them by making wudu (or tayammum if you cannot perform wudu) before praying. Your prayer will not be valid if you still have hadas. Pay attention to the hadith below!

عَنْ أَبِيْ هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ أَنَّ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: لَا يَقْبَلُ اللهُ صَلَاةَ أَحَدِكُمْ إِذَا أَحْدَثَ حَتَّى يَتَوَضَّأَ. مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ

From Abu Hurairah radiyallahu anhu, the Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, "Allah does not accept someone's prayer if he has hadas (small hadas: الحَدَثُ الأَصْغَرُ) until he performs wudu." This hadith was narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

• If you have minor hadas (الحَدَثُ الأَصْغَرُ) and wish to remain in a pure state (not having minor hadas) or have wudu.

In fact, remaining in a pure state, free from minor hadas (الحَدَثُ الأَصْغَرُ), or having wudu is not obligatory for Muslims unless they are about to perform acts of worship that require it. However, it is highly recommended. Wudu brings many benefits, one of which is the forgiveness of small sins. You can find this explanation in the hadith below:

عَنْ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ عَفَّانَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: مَنْ تَوَضَّأَ فَأَحْسَنَ الْوُضُوْءَ خَرَجَتْ خَطَايَاهُ مِنْ جَسَدِهِ، حَتَّى تَخْرُجَ مِنْ تَحْتِ أَظْفَارِهِ. رَوَاهُ مُسْلِمٌ

From Uthman bin Affan radliyallahu anhu, he said, "The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, 'Whoever performs wudu perfectly, his sins come out of his body, even (his sins) come out from under his nails.'" This hadith was narrated by Muslim.

Those are the two conditions that require you to make wudu.

What Should You Do Before Prayer?

Now, I will explain the answer to the second question that will help you understand the main topic of this discussion: what should you do before prayer? This will give you a clear understanding of what you need to do before praying, including making wudu.

In general, there are six things you should do before praying:

1. Purify your body from minor hadas (الحَدَثُ الأَصْغَرُ) and major hadas (الحَدَثُ الأَكْبَرُ).
2. Cover your private parts (Aurat).
3. Wear appropriate clothes for prayer.
4. Choose a clean place for prayer.
5. Face the Qiblah.
6. Ensure that the prayer time has arrived.

I want you to pay attention to the first point: purifying your body from minor hadas (الحَدَثُ الأَصْغَرُ) and major hadas (الحَدَثُ الأَكْبَرُ). If you have minor hadas and you wish to pray, you must perform wudu.

How Long Is Wudu Valid?

Are you still with me? Now, I will explain the answer to the third question that will further clarify the main topic of this discussion: how long is wudu valid? It is important to understand this so you know when you should make wudu and when you do not need to.

To determine how long wudu is valid, you should consider all the explanations provided in the previous paragraphs, especially the hadith I first quoted in this article, as well as the following hadith:

عَنْ أَبِيْ هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : إِذَا وَجَدَ أَحَدُكُمْ فِي بَطْنِهِ شَيْئًا فَأَشْكَلَ عَلَيْهِ أَخَرَجَ مِنْهُ شَيْءٌ أَمْ لَا؟ فَلَا يَخْرُجَنَّ مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ حَتَّى يَسْمَعَ صَوْتًا أَوْ يَجِدَ رِيْحًا. أَخْرَجَهُ مُسْلِمٌ

From Abu Hurairah radiyallahu anhu, he said, "The Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, 'If one of you feels something in his stomach and doubts whether something has come out or not, he should not leave the mosque until he hears a sound or smells an aroma.' This hadith was narrated by Muslim.

In short, I would like to say that your wudu remains valid as long as you do not have minor hadas (الحَدَثُ الأَصْغَرُ) or major hadas (الحَدَثُ الأَكْبَرُ). These two hadas can break your wudu.

Do You Have to Make Wudu for Every Prayer?

Now, I will explain the answer to the main question of this discussion: do you have to make wudu for every prayer? You should understand the explanation below clearly so that there are no more questions in your mind about this topic. Of course, if you still have other questions, feel free to write them in the comments. I would love to engage in a dialogue with you.

Actually, if you have understood all the points I have explained, you should be able to answer the main question in this discussion. However, if you are still unsure, please pay attention to the explanation below!

You don't have to make wudu for every prayer. You are only obliged to make wudu if your previous wudu has been broken.

As an additional clarification, if your wudu is broken due to major hadas (الحَدَثُ الأَكْبَرُ), you must perform ghusl Janabah (غُسْلُ الْجَنَابَةِ) before praying. You cannot simply make wudu because major hadas can only be removed through ghusl Janabah.

Do you have any questions? Please write them in the comments!