Wudu, the ritual ablution performed by Muslims before prayer, can be invalidated by certain actions. While marriage itself doesn't break wudu, specific interactions within a marriage can do so. The main factor related to marriage that breaks wudu is touching.
Touch and Wudu
According to Shafiee's scholars, if a man touches his wife (or any non-Mahram woman), his wudu is invalidated. This is true even if there's no sexual desire involved.
Summary of Wudu-Breaking Touch
| Who Touches | Who is Touched | Wudu Broken? |
|---|---|---|
| Man | Wife | Yes |
| Man | Non-Mahram Woman | Yes |
Important Points on Touch
- Intent is Irrelevant: The intention or desire during the touch is not a factor. Even a casual, unintentional touch can break wudu.
- Skin-to-Skin Contact: Generally, skin-to-skin contact is what invalidates the wudu. If a barrier exists between the skin, like clothing, wudu may not be invalidated, depending on different scholarly opinions.
Other Actions That Break Wudu
It's important to note that while touching a spouse can break wudu, other actions do so as well. Some of these common actions include:
- Passing Urine or Stool: Bodily excretions from the front or back passages.
- Passing Gas: Releasing gas from the back passage.
- Deep Sleep: Falling into a deep sleep where one loses complete awareness.
- Loss of Consciousness: Fainting or any loss of mental awareness.
- Intoxication: Being intoxicated to the point of losing awareness.
Maintaining Wudu
Knowing which actions break wudu is important for maintaining ritual purity. If wudu is invalidated, it must be renewed before performing prayer or other acts requiring ritual purification.
