[Q 440] Wiping the Neck: Sunnah or Bid‘ah?

QUESTION:

What is the ruling of wiping the neck in wudu? Many Ghair-muqallid says that it is not proven from the Prophet ﷺ, is that correct?

ANSWER:

Ahnaaf (Hanafis) consider wiping the neck in wudu to be Mustahab (recommended, meaning it is rewarding), and its being commendable is established from the noble Ahadith and the sayings of the Sahaba. Therefore, to regard wiping the neck as Bid‘ah (innovation) or not established is wrong and ignorance.

In the Hadith it is mentioned:

طلحة بن مصرف، عن أبيه، عن جده، قال: «رأيت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يمسح رأسه مرة واحدة حتى بلغ القذال – وهو أول القفا، وقال مسدد – مسح رأسه من مقدمه إلى مؤخره حتى أخرج يديه من تحت أذنيه».

Translation: Talhah bin Musarraf narrates from his grandfather: I saw Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم wipe his head once, until his blessed hands reached the upper part of the nape at the back of the neck. Musaddad says: The Noble Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم wiped from the front of the head to the back until he brought out his hands from beneath his ears.

(Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith No. 132)

Imam Shams al-A’immah Sarakhsi رحمه الله تعالى states:

والأصح أنه مستحسن في الوضوء قال ابن عمررضي الله عنهماامسحوا رقابكم قبل أن تغل بالنار.

Translation: According to the sounder opinion, wiping the neck in wudu is Mustahsan (commendable). Ibn ‘Umar رضي الله تعالى عنهما said: “Wipe your necks before they are bound in the Fire.”

(Al-Mabsut by Sarakhsi, Chapter: Kayfiyyah al-Dukhool fi al-Salah, Vol. 1, Page 10, Dar al-Ma’rifah Beirut)

Another narration:

أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم توضأ فمضمض ثلاثا واستنشق ثلاثا، يأخذ لكل واحدة ماء جديدا، وغسل وجهه ثلاثا، فلما مسح رأسه قال: «هكذا» ، وأومأ بيده من مقدم رأسه حتى بلغ بهما إلى أسفل عنقه من قبل قفاه.

Translation: Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم performed wudu, rinsed his mouth three times, inhaled water three times, taking fresh water each time, and washed his face three times. When he wiped his head, he said: “Like this,” and indicated with his hands from the front of his head until he reached the bottom of his neck from the back.

(Al-Mu‘jam al-Kabir by Tabarani, Hadith No. 409)

Answered by: Mubashir Attari (AskMufti Scholar)
Verified by: Mufti Sajid Attari
Translated answer
Date: 31st August 2025.