Is the condition of water flowing over every millimeter of skin in Wudu and Ghusl, especially given the difficulty of achieving it without rubbing or wiping, render the Wudu and Ghusl of the majority of people invalid, or is there a facilitation in this condition that the questioner has not realized?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
(ritual washing) is only achieved by the flow of water over the limb being washed, and this is a point of agreement among jurists. Flowing means pouring water so that it moves or shifts over the limb, not the continuous pouring and gushing of water. This distinguishes ghusl from wiping (masḥ), in which water is not poured. Therefore, if someone wipes their face with water without the water flowing, their ablution (wudu’) is invalid, because what is obligatory for the face and hands is ghusl, not masḥ, and ghusl is only distinguished from masḥ by the flowing of water.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/190414
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 190414
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy