Does Defecating Break Wudu? Understanding the Islamic Perspective on Wudu and Defecation

Defecation is a normal bodily function that everyone experiences. It is the process of expelling feces from the digestive system. Some people may do this once a day, several times a day, or even once a week. Muslims, like all human beings, also engage in this natural process. The question arises: does defecating break wudu?

Whatever your reason for opening this article, I’m sure you’re looking for an explanation regarding the effect of defecation on wudu. I promise I won’t let you down, as that is what I will explain now. So, please read this article to the end!

Hadith About Defecation

Now, I will explain the hadith concerning defecation. I want you to understand this at the outset of our discussion to grasp the general Islamic perspective on this matter.

Read Also: What Types of Farts Break Wudu?

There are many hadiths about defecation, but I will only discuss two of them in this article.

The two hadiths regarding defecation that I will refer to are as follows:

عَنْ جَابِرٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : إِذَا تَغَوَّطَ الرَّجُلَانِ فَلْيَتَوَارَ كُلُّ وَاحِدٍ مِنْهُمَا عَنْ صَاحِبِهِ وَلَا يَتَحَدَّثَا فَإِنَّ اللهَ يَمْقُتُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ . رَوَاهُ أَحْمَدُ

From Jabir radliyallahu anhu, he said, "The Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam, said, ‘If two people are defecating, then each of them must shield themselves from one another so that they cannot be seen, and they should not speak, for Allah hates this.’" This hadith is narrated by Ahmad.

If you have understood the hadith above, you will realize that it conveys several important points:

• The hadith highlights one of the ethical considerations regarding defecation.
• It emphasizes that defecation should be done in a private space where one cannot be seen by others.
• It advises that a person should refrain from speaking while defecating.

عَنْ مُعَاذٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ : اِتَّقُوْا الْمَلَاعِنِ الثَّلَاثَةِ : الْبَزَّارَ فِيْ الْمَوِارِدِ ، وَقَارِعَةِ الطَّرِيْقَ ، وَالظِّلِّ

From Mu’adz radliyallahu anhu, he said, "Beware of the three things that bring curses: defecating in waterways used by people, on public roads, and in shaded areas."

If you comprehend the hadith above, you will understand that we are prohibited from defecating in flowing water, on public pathways, and in places designated for rest.

Does Defecating Break Wudu?

Now I will explain the main topic of this discussion: Does defecating break wudu? I want you to understand the explanation below well so that there are no further questions in your mind. If you still have questions, please write them in the comment section.

Before I provide the answer to that question, I first want to briefly explain the factors that can break wudu. Understanding these points will help clarify the answer to your question.

If we examine some Islamic legal literature regarding wudu, we will find that six things can break it. The five key points are as follows:

• Anything that comes out of the two private orifices: the front and rear.
• Loss of consciousness due to sleep, insanity, etc.
• If the skin of a man and a woman who are not mahram touches without a barrier.
• Touching someone else's private parts (front or back) with the palm of the hand or the inside of the fingers.
• Vomiting and nosebleeds.

Hi! Are you still with me? I want you to pay attention to these six factors that can break wudu, as I explained above. In the first point, it is mentioned that anything that exits from the two private openings, whether from the front or back, can break wudu. Generally, this includes urine, feces, and flatulence.

So, if you ask me, "Does defecating break wudu?" the answer is "Yes." Defecation breaks wudu because feces is one of the substances that exit from the back opening.

Below is a verse from the Quran that explains that a person who has defecated must perform wudu before praying. This means that defecation breaks wudu.

يٰٓاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا لَا تَقْرَبُوا الصَّلٰوةَ وَاَنْتُمْ سُكٰرٰى حَتّٰى تَعْلَمُوْا مَا تَقُوْلُوْنَ وَلَا جُنُبًا اِلَّا عَابِرِيْ سَبِيْلٍ حَتّٰى تَغْتَسِلُوْا ۗ وَاِنْ كُنْتُمْ مَّرْضٰٓى اَوْ عَلٰى سَفَرٍ اَوْ جَاۤءَ اَحَدٌ مِّنْكُمْ مِّنَ الْغَاۤىِٕطِ اَوْ لٰمَسْتُمُ النِّسَاۤءَ فَلَمْ تَجِدُوْا مَاۤءً فَتَيَمَّمُوْا صَعِيْدًا طَيِّبًا فَامْسَحُوْا بِوُجُوْهِكُمْ وَاَيْدِيْكُمْ ۗ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ كَانَ عَفُوًّا غَفُوْرًا

"O you who have believed, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated until you know what you are saying or in a state of janabah, except those passing through [a place of prayer], until you have washed [your whole body]. And if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from relieving himself, or you have contacted women and find no water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and your hands [with it]. Indeed, Allah is ever Pardoning and Forgiving." (An-Nisa’ [4]: 43).

Sunnah After Defecation and Hadith About It That You Must Understand

Now I will explain the final point you should understand: the sunnah after defecation and the hadith related to it. I want you to grasp this at the end of our discussion so you know what to do after having a bowel movement.

In the previous paragraphs, I explained that defecation can break wudu. In Islam, Muslims are always encouraged to maintain wudu. Why is this important?

When Muslims perform wudu, they remain in a state of purity until their wudu is broken. Additionally, if they recite certain prayers after performing wudu, they will receive immense rewards. The eight gates of Heaven will be opened for them, and they may enter through any door they wish. Please pay attention to the hadith below!

عَنْ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: مَا مِنْكُمْ مِنْ أَحَدٍ يَتَوَضَّأُ فَيُسْبِغُ الْوُضُوءَ ثُمَّ يَقُوْلُ: أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ، إِلَّا فُتِحَتْ لَهُ أَبْوَابُ الْجَنَّةِ الثَّمَانِيَّةِ يَدْخُلُ مِنْ أَيِّهَا شَاءَ. أَخْرَجَهُ مُسْلِمٌ وَالتِّرْمِذِيُّ وَزَادَ: اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِي مِنَ التَّوَّابِينَ وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنَ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ

From Umar radliyallahu anhu, he said, "The Messenger of Allah alaihi wa sallam said, 'None of you performs wudu and perfects it, then says, 'I testify that there is no god but Allah who has no partner, and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger,' except that the eight gates of Heaven have been opened for him. He can enter through any door he wishes.'" This hadith is narrated by Muslim and at-Tirmidhi. At-Tirmidhi added, "O Allah, make me among those who repent and make me among those who are purified."

So, do you know what the sunnah is after defecating? The answer is "Wudu." Yes! Wudu is the sunnah after defecating. Muslims are highly encouraged to perform wudu because they will receive significant rewards for doing so.

Do you have any questions? Please write them in the comment section!