*Ruling on Performing Wudu and Ghusl with Warm Water*
✒️ *Written by: Shaikh Maqbool Ahmad Salafi (Hafizahullah)*
Jeddah Dawah Center, Hay Al-Salamah - Saudi Arabia
*✍🏻English Interpreter: Hasan Fuzail*
Having warm water in winter and cold water in summer is among the blessings of Allah, for which we should be grateful. The temperature of water naturally corresponds to the season: it gets cold in winter and warm in summer. Allah has facilitated for us the means to warm cold water through various methods and to cool naturally hot water, allowing us to enjoy this precious blessing.
*Using Warm Water for Wudu*
Some people argue that performing wudu (ablution) with cold water is more rewarding, and therefore warm water should not be used for this purpose. This notion is incorrect. The Prophet ﷺ instructed performing wudu thoroughly, and in cold weather, some people neglect proper wudu. Warm water aids in completing wudu properly and allows one to do so without difficulty.
Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
*"Shall I not tell you about something through which Allah erases sins and elevates ranks?"*
The people said, *"Yes, O Messenger of Allah!"* He said:
*"Performing the ablution thoroughly despite odds,"*
(*Sahih Muslim: 251*)
If warm water is unavailable in extreme cold, using cold water for wudu undoubtedly brings greater reward. However, if warm water is available, it makes performing proper wudu easier without reducing the reward. It is a convenience provided by Allah.
*Objections to Heating Water for Wudu and Ghusl*
Some argue that since Allah has allowed tayammum (dry ablution) in the absence of water or when water is harmful, there is no need to heat water for wudu or ghusl. They often raise the specific issue of someone who becomes junub (in a state of major impurity) or experiences nocturnal emissions on a cold night. What should they do at Fajr when cold water is harmful? Scholars suggest such a person should heat water for ghusl. If heating water is not possible, they may perform tayammum.
Several responses address the objections raised in this regard:
1. *Scholarly Consensus on the Purity of Water*
Scholars unanimously agree that water remains pure as long as its color, taste, or smell does not change. Imam Nawawi (RA) reported Ibn Al-Mundhir’s statement regarding the consensus:
> "Scholars agree that if impurities fall into a small or large quantity of water and change its taste, color, or smell, it becomes impure."
(*Nayl al-Awtar, 1/45*)
Thus, as long as heating water does not alter these characteristics, it remains pure for wudu and ghusl.
2. *Quranic Evidence*
Allah says:
"And if you are ill, or on a journey, or one of you comes after answering the call of nature, or you have been in contact with women (by sexual relations) and you find no water, perform Tayammum with clean earth and rub therewith your faces and hands (Tayammum). Truly, Allah is Ever Oft-Pardoning, Oft-Forgiving."
(*Surah An-Nisa: 43*)
This verse mentions "water" in general, which includes cold, warm, and regular water. Since ancient times, people have been heating water to make it suitable for use, and with modern advancements, this process has become significantly easier.
3. *Use of Naturally Warm Water*
The water in seas, ponds, wells, and rivers becomes warm due to sunlight during summer. This water is permissible for wudu and ghusl.
Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that a man asked the Prophet ﷺ:
> "O Messenger of Allah, we travel by sea, and we carry only a little water with us. If we use it for wudu, we will be thirsty. Can we perform wudu with seawater?"
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
"Its water is pure, and its dead animals are lawful to eat."
(*Sahih Tirmidhi: 69*)
This indicates that just as naturally warm seawater is permissible, heating water to make it warm is also permissible for wudu and ghusl.