[Q 721] Wudu Beard Washing Rules

Question

I have a question concerning wudu. Yesterday, i attended a fiqh workshop where purification was being taught. I have already studied this fiqh previously, but thought it would be beneficial to attend as a means to go over the knowledge. Whilst the teacher was teaching the fard of wudu specifically, he mentioned the in relation to washing the face that if one has a thick, big beard then it is Sunnah to completely wash it through and ensure water has gone through it, but it is a fard to wipe over it? I just wanted to clarify this with you as i thought it was fard to completely drench my beard and get water underneath it. Is this just a sunnah? Please can you clarify what the fard would be for someone like myself who had a thick fistful beard. JazakhAllah Khayr

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
الجواب بعون الملك الوهاب اللهم هداية الحق والصواب

Answer

The correct Shari’ah ruling regarding washing the beard during Wudu is as follows: It is Fard to wash all hair that falls within the limits of the face, regardless of whether the beard is thick (meaning the skin underneath is not visible) or sparse (meaning the skin underneath is visible). As for the hair that does not fall within the limits of the face, but hangs outside – meaning the dangling hair – washing it is Mustahabb (preferable), meaning if it is not washed, the Wudu will still be valid. Simply performing Masah (wiping with wet hands) over this dangling hair without washing it is Sunnah.

Regarding which hair falls within the limits of the face, the detail is that if the beard hair is pressed downwards towards the throat below the chin, then all the hair that remains within the circumference of the face is considered to be within the limits of the face.

This detail pertains to the beard hair. As for the skin underneath the hair, wherever the skin is visible, i.e., the hair there is not thick, it is necessary to make water reach the skin underneath. However, if the hair is thick and the skin underneath is not visible, then it is not necessary to make water reach the skin.

The complete details have been explained, and you can easily act upon them accordingly. Therefore, if your entire beard is thick, then washing the hair that falls within the limits of the face is Fard, but it is not necessary to make water reach the skin underneath. Performing Masah over the hair outside the limits of the face is Sunnah, and washing it is Mustahabb.

A’la Hadrat Imam Ahl-e-Sunnat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan Barelwi رحمۃ اللہ علیہ states:
It is Fard to wash the skin underneath the eyebrows, mustache, and the thin hair on the sides of the face during Wudu if the hair is sparse and the skin is visible. However, if the hair is thick and the skin is not visible at all, then it is not necessary in Wudu; though it is always necessary in Ghusl. If the beard is sparse, washing the skin underneath it is Fard. If it is thick, then washing all the hair that falls within the circumference of the face is Fard. This is the sound and relied-upon position. As for the hair that hangs down, performing Masah over it is Sunnah, and washing it is Mustahabb. ‘Hanging down’ means that if the beard is pressed downwards towards the chin with the hand, all the hair that extends beyond the circumference of the face is not necessary to wash; the rest is necessary. However, the very roots of even that hanging hair must be washed, because washing them is precisely like washing the skin. And in a thick beard, the washing of this [skin at the roots] has already been waived.

(Fatawa Ridawiyyah, vol. 1, p. 282, Raza Foundation)

Answered by: Mubashir Madani (AskMufti Scholar)
Verified by: Mufti Sajid Attari
Translated answer
Date: 29th September 2026