Does applying oil to the hair affect the validity of ablution (wudu') and prayer (salat) if one wipes the ears with the same water used for the head and finds the smell of oil on the hand, while doubting the presence of oil rather than water on the hand?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
A change in the water at the site of purification does not cause harm. So, if the water with which the head was wiped changed due to oil, the wiping of the head is still sufficient. However, wiping the ears with water that has changed due to oil is not sufficient according to most scholars. Some, however, said that the wiping is valid as long as the water changed due to a pure substance. Wiping the ears is a according to most scholars, and omitting it does not affect the validity of ablution or prayer.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Original fatwa ID
- 136322
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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