Date : 05-06-2014

Question :

I have sustained a deep wound in my finger, so I wrapped it with a bandage, and performed ablution without the water reaching it. Is my ablution valid ?


The Answer :

: Praise be to Allah, peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.



 It is permissible for a person who has sustained a wound , or a broken organ to wipe over the bandage, or the splint covering that organ for fear of harming it. Wiping over that organ isn`t only valid , but also rewarding. Moreover, if wiping over the bandage damages it, or harms the injured organ then, he/she can leave it out and his/her prayer is valid according to the Hanafite school of Fiqh (jurisprudence), and this eases the act of worship on people. Allah, The Almighty, Says (What means): “and has imposed no difficulties on you in religion.” {Al-Hajj/78}.



According to the Hanafites, it isn`t a condition for the validity of wiping over the bandage, or the splint that the person should be ritually pure. Moreover, changing either, or the falling off of either doesn`t nullify wiping over it as long as the organ is injured and is harmed by washing. However, not wiping over the bandage, or the splint without a religious excuse renders ablution invalid.



Accordingly, it is permissible for a person not to wipe over the bandage, or the splint if he feared harming himself, but if he didn`t, and left it out then, he should make ablution once more with the wiping , and he should also re-perform the prayer. And Allah knows best.