How can Ablution be Performed with Little Water?

Name of Questioner: Karen Bell

Date: 17-10-2021 06:35:28 PM

Consultant: EDC

Question:

How can ablution be performed with little to no water? We do not have running water or a well. If I cannot wash does this mean I cannot pray?

Thank you very much for your question. It is our pleasure to answer it.

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.

Dear sister, one litre of water is sufficient for performing ablution; rather a Mudd (which equals 0,688 litre) is enough. It is confirmed that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to perform ablution only using one Mudd and would perform Ghusl (ritual bath) using one Saa' (which equals 4 Mudds), as reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim. Therefore, whoever uses a Mudd properly in ablution; it will be enough for him.

As regards the minimum quantity of water which is sufficient for ablution, then most of the scholars may Allaah have mercy upon them are of the view that there is no minimum quantity of water. What should be considered is that the limbs which must be washed in ablution are washed. Therefore, if a person performs ablution and washes all the limbs that should be washed in ablution even with a quantity lesser than a Mudd, then his ablution is acceptable. Indeed it is confirmed that the Prophet (peace be upon him) performed ablution with a third of a Mudd. [Al-Haakim].

You can watch the practical manner of making wudu with little water. Click here

And Allah Knows best.