Can I Perform Wudu Without Wearing a Hijab? Understanding the Rules

Hi again! The hijab (حِجَابٌ) is an attribute synonymous with Muslim women. Generally, the hijab refers to something used to cover the genitals, but it is often understood as a cloth worn to cover the head. In the context of discussing wudu, there is one question you must understand the answer to: Can I perform wudu without wearing a hijab?

Regardless of your reason for opening this article, I am sure you are looking for an explanation about performing wudu without a hijab. Trust me! I won’t disappoint you today. That's what I'm going to explain now, so just read this article to the end!

Hijab in Islam: Is It Obligatory for Muslim Women?

First, I will explain one basic topic of discussion in this article: Is hijab obligatory for Muslim women? You should understand this first, as it will help you grasp the topic perfectly.

Read Also: What Types of Farts Break Wudu?

In general, if you read some Islamic legal literature, you will find explanations that wearing the hijab is an obligation for Muslim women. You can find this explanation in the two verses of the Quran below:

وَقُلْ لِّلْمُؤْمِنٰتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ اَبْصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوْجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِيْنَ زِيْنَتَهُنَّ اِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلٰى جُيُوْبِهِنَّۖ وَلَا يُبْدِيْنَ زِيْنَتَهُنَّ اِلَّا لِبُعُوْلَتِهِنَّ اَوْ اٰبَاۤىِٕهِنَّ اَوْ اٰبَاۤءِ بُعُوْلَتِهِنَّ اَوْ اَبْنَاۤىِٕهِنَّ اَوْ اَبْنَاۤءِ بُعُوْلَتِهِنَّ اَوْ اِخْوَانِهِنَّ اَوْ بَنِيْٓ اِخْوَانِهِنَّ اَوْ بَنِيْٓ اَخَوٰتِهِنَّ اَوْ نِسَاۤىِٕهِنَّ اَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ اَيْمَانُهُنَّ اَوِ التّٰبِعِيْنَ غَيْرِ اُولِى الْاِرْبَةِ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ اَوِ الطِّفْلِ الَّذِيْنَ لَمْ يَظْهَرُوْا عَلٰى عَوْرٰتِ النِّسَاۤءِ ۖوَلَا يَضْرِبْنَ بِاَرْجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعْلَمَ مَا يُخْفِيْنَ مِنْ زِيْنَتِهِنَّۗ وَتُوْبُوْٓا اِلَى اللّٰهِ جَمِيْعًا اَيُّهَ الْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُوْنَ

And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed. (An-Nur [24]; 31).

يٰٓاَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُلْ لِّاَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنٰتِكَ وَنِسَاۤءِ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ يُدْنِيْنَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِنْ جَلَابِيْبِهِنَّۗ ذٰلِكَ اَدْنٰىٓ اَنْ يُّعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَۗ وَكَانَ اللّٰهُ غَفُوْرًا رَّحِيْمًا

O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful. (Al-Ahzab [33]; 59).

However, there are differing opinions among Islamic jurists regarding which parts of a woman's body must be covered with the hijab. Some Islamic law experts maintain that all parts of a woman's body must be covered with the hijab, while others argue that the entire body should be covered except for the face and hands. Several other Islamic scholars contend that women may not be required to wear the hijab to cover their heads. I won’t delve into these differing views extensively, as they are not directly related to the main topic of this discussion.

The main point I want to emphasize here is that the hijab is obligatory for Muslim women, but there are differing opinions regarding which parts of their bodies should be covered.

Is Covering Aurat Obligatory in Wudu?

Hi! Now, I will explain the answer to a question that you should understand well: Is covering the Aurat obligatory in wudu? You need to grasp this because it is an important aspect of understanding wudu without a hijab.

As a Muslim, you are likely aware that the hijab is a cloth used to cover the hair or head. Generally, women recognize the hijab as essential because the hair or head is one of the private parts that non-mahram men are not allowed to see (according to some Islamic law experts). Thus, understanding whether Muslim women are required to cover their Aurat during wudu is significant.

In short, if you read some Islamic legal literature on wudu, you will find no explanation stating that covering the Aurat is a requirement during wudu. What must be done in wudu is washing and wiping several parts of the body with Niyyah and following certain procedures, as I have explained in the previous paragraphs.

So, once again, covering the Aurat is not an obligation in wudu. In other words, you can perform wudu without any clothing.

However, some practitioners of Islam hold a different opinion. They argue that wudu should be performed while covering the Aurat because wudu is an act of worship, and worship must be conducted with the Aurat covered. I believe there is some truth to their opinion; it pertains to the proper etiquette of performing wudu. But whether it is obligatory or not is a matter of Islamic law, not merely Islamic ethics.

Can I Perform Wudu Without Wearing a Hijab?

Hi! Are you still with me? Now, I will explain the main topic of this discussion: Can I perform wudu without wearing a hijab? You need to understand the explanation below very well so that there are no lingering questions in your mind. Of course, if you have any other questions about this topic, feel free to write them in the comments section. I will be very happy to engage in a dialogue with you.

Actually, you can easily answer the main question of this discussion if you understand what I have explained in the previous paragraphs. Okay! That doesn't matter. I'll be more specific.

In the previous paragraphs, I explained that the purpose of the hijab is to cover the Aurat. Covering the Aurat is not an obligation in wudu. Therefore, the answer to that question is, "Yes, you can perform wudu without wearing a hijab."

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