ARKAN AL-WUDU — QURAN 5:6
Obligatory Acts of Wudu (Fard)
فَاغْسِلُوْا وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى الْمَرَافِقِ وَامْسَحُوْا بِرُءُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ
“…wash your faces and your hands to the elbows, wipe your heads, and wash your feet to the ankles.” — Quran 5:6
The Arkan al-Wudu are the four acts directly commanded in Quran 5:6. They are the absolute minimum without which Wudu is legally non-existent (batil). All four madhabs agree on these four acts as Fard. Where madhabs differ is in the minimum extent required for each — covered in detail below.
Fard 1 — Ghusl al-Wajh (Washing the Face)
Coverage: Hairline to chin (vertical) • Earlobe to earlobe (horizontal) • Source: Quran 5:6
| Madhab | Minimum Required | Thick Beard Ruling |
|---|---|---|
| Hanafi | Full face once | Water must reach skin beneath thick beard |
| Maliki | Full face once | Outer surface only required |
| Shafiʿi | Full face once | Outer surface only; recommended to wash beneath |
| Hanbali | Full face once | Water must reach skin beneath thick beard |
Fard 2 — Ghusl al-Yadayn (Washing Both Arms)
Coverage: fingertips to and including the elbows. Right arm first, then left. The Quranic phrase “ila al-marafiq” (to the elbows) is unanimously interpreted as inclusive — the elbow itself must be washed. Common mistake: stopping just below the elbow. The Hanbali madhab specifies that if a tight ring or bracelet prevents water from reaching the skin beneath it, the Wudu is invalid for that portion and must be corrected.
Fard 3 — Mash al-Ras (Wiping the Head) — Most Debated
This is the most debated Fard act because the Quran uses the particle bi before ruʿusikum (your heads) — and Arabic scholars disagree on whether bi here means “all of” or “some of.”
| Madhab | Minimum Mash | Grammatical Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Hanafi | 1/4 of head (3 fingers width) | Bi is tabʿidiyyah (partitive); Prophet wiped forelock (nasiyah) |
| Maliki | Entire head (Fard) | Bi is ilsaq (attachment) — commands full coverage |
| Shafiʿi | Any portion — even one hair | Bi is tabʿidiyyah; minimum valid |
| Hanbali | Entire head (Fard) | Prophet consistently wiped full head — Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Ablutions (Kitab al-Wudu’), Hadith 185, graded Sahih |
Fard 4 — Ghusl al-Qadamayn (Washing Both Feet)
Coverage: toes to and including both ankles. Right foot first, then left. Like the elbow ruling, the Quranic “ila al-kaʿbayn” is unanimously inclusive. The Prophet ﷺ specifically warned: “Woe to the heels from the Fire!” — Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Ablutions (Kitab al-Wudu’), Hadith 165, graded Sahih; Sahih Muslim, Book of Purification (Kitab al-Taharah), Hadith 241, graded Sahih — when he saw companions leaving their heels dry.
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Mohammed Basheer is the founder of Sukoonly.com, an Islamic blog focused on duas, prophetic healing, and Qur’anic wisdom. He writes with sincerity and spiritual depth for seekers around the world.