Is It OK to Dry Yourself After Wudu? Understanding the Guidelines

Hi again! There are many interesting discussions about wudu because it is one of the important acts of worship in Islam. It also plays a central role in some of the obligatory prayers for Muslims. In several Islamic legal texts, you can find numerous discussions about wudu, including what to do before, during, and after the process. One important question that I will address in this article is: is it ok to dry yourself after wudu?

Whatever your reason for opening this article, I'm pretty sure you're looking for clarity on the legality of drying your body after wudu: is it permissible or not? Trust me, I won’t let you down today. That's what I'll explain now, so just read this article to the end!

What Can't You Do After Wudu?

Hi! First, I will answer a question related to the main topic of this discussion: what should you not do after wudu? I mention this because drying the body is something done after wudu. Therefore, it is essential to understand what cannot be done and what should be done after wudu.

In short, if you read some literature on Islamic law, you won’t find specific explanations about things you can’t do after wudu. The main reason is that there is no mention of such prohibitions in the Quran and Hadith. All discussions about wudu in various Islamic texts typically cover the procedures for performing wudu, the Niyyah (intention) for wudu, the virtues of wudu, recommended practices after wudu, and conditions that require Muslims to perform wudu.

Read Also: What Types of Farts Break Wudu?

Now, if there is no explanation regarding actions that cannot be taken after wudu, does that mean you can do anything that is not against Islamic law afterward?

Of course, the answer to that question is "Yes." You may do anything that does not contradict Islamic law after wudu.

What Should You Do After Wudu?

I will now explain the answers to questions related to the main topic of this discussion: what should you do after wudu? It’s important for you to understand this in order to grasp the main points of our discussion fully. Additionally, some Muslims may not have a clear understanding of this, and I believe you don’t want to be among them, right?

In general, if you read some literature on Islamic law, especially the hadiths, you will find four things you should do after wudu:

Saying Dua After Wudu

The first thing you should do after wudu is to say a dua. This practice has many benefits. In some previous articles, I have explained various aspects of it, and I highly recommend you read those. I won't elaborate on it further in this article.

You can find a suggestion for saying dua after wudu in the hadith below:

عَنْ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : مَا مِنْكُمْ مِنْ أَحَدٍ يَتَوَضَّأُ فَيُسْبِغُ الْوُضُوءَ ثُمَّ يَقُوْلُ : أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ , إِلَّا فُتِحَتْ لَهُ أَبْوَابُ الْجَنَّةِ الثَّمَانِيَّةِ يَدْخُلُ مِنْ أَيِّهَا شَاءَ . أَخْرَجَهُ مُسْلِمٌ وَالتِّرْمِذِيُّ وَزَادَ : اَللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِيْ مِنَ التَّوَّابِيْنَ وَاجْعَلْنِيْ مِنَ الْمُتَطَهِّرِيْنَ

From Umar radliyallahu anhu, he said, "The Messenger of Allah (alaihi wa sallam) said, 'If one of you performs wudu and perfects it, then says, "I testify that there is no god but Allah who has no partner, and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger," the eight doors of Heaven will be opened for him, and he can enter from whichever one he wishes.' The hadith is narrated by Muslim and at-Tirmidhi. He (at-Tirmidhi) added, "O Allah, make me among those who repent and make me among those who are cleansed."

Keeping the Parts of Your Body That You Have Washed and Rubbed in Wudu Wet

The second thing you should do after wudu is to keep the parts of your body that you washed and rubbed during wudu wet. The reason is that these body parts will emit light on the Day of Judgment as a sign that you belong to the people of Prophet Muhammad. Pay attention to the hadith below!

عَنْ أَبِيْ هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ : سَمِعْتُ رَسُوْلَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُوْلُ : إِنَّ أُمَّتِيْ يَأْتُوْنَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ غُرَّا مُحَجَّلِيْنَ مِنْ أَثَرِ الْوُضُوْءِ ، فَمَنْ اِسْتَطَاعَ مِنْكُمْ أَنْ يُطِيْلَ غُرَّتَهُ فَلْيَفْعَلْ . مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ

From Abu Hurairah radliyallahu anhu, he said, "I have heard the Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alaihi wa sallam say, 'Indeed, my people on the Day of Judgment will come with white light from the marks of wudu. Whoever among you is able to extend his white light, let him do so.' The hadith was narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

Using Miswak

Using Miswak is the third thing you should do after wudu. You can find this explanation in the hadith below:

عَنْ أَبِيْ هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ عَنْ رَسُوْلِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ : لَوْلَا أَنْ أَشُقَّ عَلَى أُمَّتِيْ لَأَمَرْتُهُمْ بِالسِّوَاكِ مَعَ كُلِّ وُضُوْءِ . أَخْرَجَهُ مَالِكٌ وَأَحْمَدُ وَالنَّسَائِيُّ

From Abu Hurairah radliyallahu anhu, from the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), he said, "If I had not burdened my people, I would have commanded them to use Miswak after every wudu." The hadith was narrated by Malik, Ahmad, and an-Nasa'i.

Performing Sunnah Prayers After Wudu

The fourth thing you should do after wudu is to perform two rakats of Sunnah prayer. You can find this explanation in the hadith below:

عَنْ عُقْبَةَ بْنِ عَامِرٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ ، أَنَّ رَسُوْلَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ : مَا مِنْ أَحَدٍ يَتَوَضَّأُ فَيُحْسِنُ الْوُضُوْءَ ، وَيُصَلِّي رَكْعَتَيْنِ ، يَقْبَلُ بِقَلْبِهِ وَوَجْهِهِ عَلَيْهِمَا ، إِلَّا وَجَبَتْ لَهُ الْجَنَّةَ

From Uqbah bin Amir radliyallahu anhu, that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said, "No one performs wudu and then perfects it, and prays two rakats with all his heart and focus, except that Paradise is guaranteed for him."

Is It OK to Dry Yourself After Wudu?

Hi! Are you still with me? Now I will explain the main topic of this article: Is it okay to dry yourself after wudu? You must read the explanation below carefully to eliminate any lingering questions about it. If you still have other questions, don't hesitate to write them in the comment section. I would be very happy to engage in a dialogue with you.

Before I provide the answer to the question, I will outline some points I mentioned in the previous paragraphs:

• Some Islamic legal literature does not provide explanations about things that cannot be done after wudu. This means that you are allowed to do anything that is not against Islamic law after wudu.
• One of the things you should do after wudu is to keep all the body parts you have washed and rubbed during wudu wet.

Considering the two points above, the answer to the question is, “Yes, drying yourself after wudu is permissible.”

Do you have a question? Please write it in the comment section!