Yes, according to the Shafi'i school of thought, touching your wife can break your Wudu.
Shafi'i View on Touching a Woman and Wudu
In the Shafi'i school of Islamic jurisprudence, certain actions invalidate Wudu (the ritual ablution required before prayer). One of these actions involves physical contact with a member of the opposite gender.
- Direct Skin Contact: If a man touches his wife, or any non-Mahram (a person with whom marriage is permissible) woman, directly with his skin, his Wudu is invalidated. This is the case even if there are no feelings of desire involved.
Shafiee's scholars said that if a man touches his wife or a non-Mahram woman, his Wudoo` is invalidated, even if this took place without a desire toward the woman.
Key Aspects of the Shafi'i Ruling
- No Desire Required: The intention or presence of desire is irrelevant. The mere act of touching invalidates Wudu.
- Direct Skin Contact: The contact must be skin-to-skin. If there's a barrier (like clothing), Wudu is not broken.
- Non-Mahram: This ruling primarily concerns non-Mahram women (women outside the prohibited degrees of marriage).
Practical Implications
Following the Shafi'i school, if a man accidentally touches his wife before prayer, he must perform Wudu again. This aspect highlights the importance of mindfulness regarding physical contact, especially when preparing for religious obligations.
