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:

Asalam alaikum wa rehmatullah
My questions are:
-Is it fard to perform all rituals of wudu (farz and sunnah) in the prescribed sequence?

-If the wudu is interrupted in between forgetfully or otherwise is it necessary to repeat it?

JazakAllah Khair

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Answer:

Must wudu be performed in sequence

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.

It is considered a preferred Sunnah to perform all the acts of ‘wudu’ uninterrupted and in the exact prescribed sequence.

If for some reason one performs all the acts of ‘wudu’ but against the prescribed sequence, or interrupts the performance of the ‘wudu’ by unreasonable time, the question is would such a ‘wudu’ be considered valid.

There is a difference of opinion amongst the scholars regarding this issue.

The majority of the scholars, including Imam Abu Hanifa are of the opinion although it is highly preferred and the Sunnah is that one should perform all the acts of ‘wudu’ uninterrupted and in the exact prescribed sequence, if for some reason, one interrupts the performance of the ‘wudu’ or goes against the prescribed sequence, the ‘wudu’ would still be considered valid.

A few scholars including Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal hold the opinion that to follow the prescribed sequence of ‘wudu’ is obligatory; and if one for some reason performs the ‘wudu’ out of sequence, their ‘wudu’ would be null and void.

And Allah Alone Knows Best.

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