In Islam, wudu is mandatory before praying. But if a person wants to pray after taking a bath, then does a shower count as wudu?
The three methods of achieving physical purity are ablution, ghusl, and tayammum. Bathing is the greatest and most complete purification; Which is a form of worship, through which complete sanctification is achieved as well as special tranquility in body and mind.
The fatigue of the body is removed, the mind is happy and the spirit is happy, the companion angels are relieved, the devil and satanic whispers are dispelled, the soul is at peace and the soul is free from impurities. Since ablution and gols are means of attaining purity, I answer Does shower count as wudu?
Difference between wudu and shower in Islam
Ablution (wudu)
Ablution, known as “wudu” in Arabic. It is a process of purification of body and mind in Islam. Muslims perform certain acts of worship such as prayer (salah) before touching the Qur’an or circumambulating the Baitullah.
The ablution process involves washing the hands, face, and arms, wiping the head, and washing the feet. The purpose of ablution is to cleanse oneself spiritually and physically before worship.
Bath (shower)
Ghusl, also known as “ghusl” in Arabic, is a more comprehensive form of body purification in Islam. Bathing is sometimes obligatory and sometimes Sunnah. Complete purity is ensured by washing the entire body in a specific manner in a bath.
In short, ablution is a partial and routine purification. which Muslims perform before worship. While ablution (ghusl) is a more extensive and meaningful purification than ablution. Wudu is inside the bath but the bath is not inside the shower.
Does shower count as wudu?
Yes, the shower will count as wudu. Since ablution is performed through bathing, there is no need to perform ablution again if the reason for breaking ablution is not found after bathing. However, it is Sunnah to perform ablution at the beginning of the bath.
Umm al-Mu’mini Ayesha Siddiqa (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) did not perform ablution again after taking a bath. (Jamee Tirmidhi, Hadith: 107)
When Abdullah Ibn Umar (RA) was asked about ablution after ablution, he said, “Which ablution is greater than waiting for ablution?” (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shayba, Hadith: 748)
Also, many people in the society are seen performing ablution again after finishing the bath. When asked why he performed ablution, he said, I will pray. His words mean that bathing is not sufficient for praying. So I had to perform ablution again for prayer. It is a wrong practice.
It is good to know that there is no provision for ablution after bathing. When performing a Fard ghusl, it is obligatory to do the washing and watering of the nose, and it is sunnah to perform complete ablution, which is part of the ghusl.
And if Ghusl is not Fard, it is Sunnah to wash and water the nose, and it is Mustahab to perform complete ablution. So it is not right to perform ablution again after taking a proper bath. (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 248; Umdatul Qari: 03/86; Al-Bahrur Rayeeq: 01/94; Addurrul Muhtar: 01/323)
Opinions of scholars
A questioner on Darul Uloom Deoband’s website asked him, Does shower count as wudu? Is it obligatory to perform wudu in the obligatory bath? Or gurgling with water in the mouth and reaching the soft bones of the nose will be a bath? What are the guidelines for both men and women?
In response, it is said from Darul Uloom Deoband, “Whether a bath is wajib, sunnah or mustahab, it is not necessary to perform ablution in any bath separately for men or women.”
Bathing has only three duties:
- 1. Rinse in such a way that the water reaches the entire mouth.
- 2. Squeeze the water to the last soft part of the nose.
- 3. Pour water all over the body so that no part of the body is left.
However, it is Sunnah to perform ablution between bathing. That is if one performs ablution in the bath and observes the other sunnah of the bath. Then he will be fully rewarded. Otherwise, the bath will be done; But the full reward of bathing will not be available.
Can You Pray After a Shower without Wudu?
Yes, you can Pray after Shower without Wudu. Many people in the society are seen to perform ablution again after finishing the bath. When asked why he performed ablution, he said, I will pray.
His words mean that bathing is not sufficient for praying. So I had to perform ablution again for prayer. It is a wrong practice. There is no provision for ablution after bathing.
When performing a Fard ghusl, it is obligatory to do the washing and watering of the nose, and it is sunnah to perform complete ablution, which is part of the ghusl.
And if Ghusl is not Fard, it is Sunnah to wash and water the nose, and it is Mustahab to perform complete ablution. So it is not right to perform ablution again after taking a proper bath. (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 248; Hedaya, Purity Chapter)
FAQs
Why is there no need to do wudu after the shower?
Do not perform wudu again after shower. Because shower will count as wudu, which is a major means of purification, and ablution is a minor means. The parts that need to be washed in wudu are washed in a shower. So if you take a shower, it becomes wudu. As a result, if the reason for breaking wudu is not found after ablution, it is not necessary to perform ablution again.
Is it not necessary to perform ablution after the obligatory bath?
No, there is no need to perform wudu after the obligatory shower. Because basically there is no provision in Islam to perform ablution after bathing. If it is a fard ghusl, it is necessary to do the washing and watering of the nose, and it is sunnah to perform complete ablution, which is part of the ghusl. Therefore, there is no need to perform ablution after a proper bath (Addurrul Muhtar: 01 / 323)
Can I perform Wudu while taking a shower?
Yes, you can perform Wudu while in the shower, ensuring that you follow the proper sequence and steps of ablution. The key is to fulfill the requirements of Wudu even if you are in the shower.
If you perform ablution without taking a mandatory bath, can you pray?
No, if a ghusl is obligatory, then a person cannot pray without that ghusl. It is forbidden for him. Because a bath is more comprehensive and important than a mouse. So ablution cannot be a substitute for ablution.
Post summary
In this blog post, we have discussed that a shower will count as wudu. Because a shower is a comprehensive and comprehensive way to achieve overall purity. So if a person takes a bath properly, he does not need to perform ablution. He will be able to perform namaz, recitation of the Qur’an, etc. by this bath.