What to Do If You Doubt Washing a Body Part During Wudhu
If you doubt whether you washed a body part during wudhu, assume you did not wash it and wash it again before continuing.
According to Islamic scholars, if someone is performing wudhu and becomes doubtful about whether they washed a specific body part or not, they must act on certainty. The Islamic ruling in this case is clear: assume that you have not washed that part yet.
For example, if you are wiping your head and suddenly doubt whether you washed both hands earlier, you should consider that you did not wash them. According to this fatwa, washing the hands again becomes compulsory (wajib) for you. After washing that body part again, you can then continue and complete the rest of your wudhu in the proper order.
Imam Nawawi explains this principle in Al-Majmu: When someone begins wudhu and has doubt during the process about washing certain body parts, they must build upon certainty, which is that they did not wash it. Islamic scholars agree on this ruling without any difference of opinion. The basic principle is that the body part was not washed.
This Islamic ruling helps believers maintain proper purification by following certainty rather than doubt. When performing acts of worship, certainty is always given priority over uncertainty.
Related Questions
Is wudhu valid if you forget to wash one body part?
What should you do if you doubt your wudhu after finishing prayer?
Can you repeat just one part of wudhu or must you start completely over?
What is the correct order of washing body parts in wudhu?
