Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

 

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalam Alyakom Wa Rahmat Allah Wa Barakatuh

Ablution SAYING BISMILLAH BEFORE WUDHU

Rasoolullah (Sallailaahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: "One who does not say Bismillah before wudhu, his wudhu is incomplete." (Tirmizi). It is reported from Sayyidina Abu Hurairah (RA) that anyone who does not say Bismillah before wudhu, only the sins committed by the limbs which are washed in wudhu will be washed away; and one who says Bismillah before wudhu, the sins of the entire body will be washed away. (Mishkaat)

If one was ignorant of this hadeeth for nearly two years or more, and then realizes that bismillah is necessary for Wudu, what should one do? Is repentence going validate the Wudu, or is one required to offer Nafl prayers as compensation?

 

Jazak Allah Khair.

 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

 

Answer:

 

Forgot to say bismillah before wudu in past

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

 

Time and time again the Messenger of Allah (saws) commanded, guided, and exhorted the believers to start any good deed by declaring ‘Bismillah’ (In the Name of Allah). 

 

There is a difference of opinion amongst the scholars and jurists in Islam whether the declaring of ‘Bismillah’ at the beginning of the ‘wudu’ is a preferred Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws) or a pre-condition of the act of ‘wudu’. 

 

Although few scholars have voiced their opinion that not declaring ‘Bismillah’ at the beginning of the ‘wudu’ would invalidate the ‘wudu’, the absolute majority of the scholars and the jurists in Islam have not agreed with this opinion. 

 

The absolute majority of the scholars and jurists in Islam are of the opinion that the declaration of ‘Bismillah’ is an extremely preferred Sunnah and Guidance of the Messenger of Allah (saws), but not an obligatory act or rite of ‘wudu’.  Thus in their opinion, if one perchance forgets to declare ‘Bismillah’ before they start their ‘wudu’, their ‘wudu’ will be considered valid, but its rewards would be diminished compared to the one who declared ‘Bismillah’.  And Allah Alone Knows Best.

 

Your Question: ….If one was ignorant of this hadeeth for nearly two years or more, and then realizes that bismillah is necessary for Wudu, what should one do?

If one who was ignorant of the guidance, did not declare ‘Bismillah’ before they initiated the rites of ‘wudu’, their ‘wudu’ would be considered valid……and it is expected that they will find their Lord Forgiving and Merciful.  But in the future they should strive their utmost and make it a habit to declare ‘Bismillah’ when starting their ‘wudu’ and every good lawful deed….for that then would be in accordance with the Guidance and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws).

 

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone.  Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

 

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

 

 

Burhan