Ruling on Washing the Face and the Ruling on Mouth-rinsing and Sniffing Water with it in Ablution
Are mouth-rinsing and sniffing water obligatory along with washing the face in ablution or are they sunnah, and what are the boundaries of washing the face?
Washing the face is obligatory; rinsing the mouth and the nose are emphasised sunnah in the ablution and obligatory in the full bath. The face extends lengthwise from the usual hairline to the bottom of the chin, and breadthwise from ear to ear.
Washing the face is an obligation, and mouth-rinsing and sniffing water are two sunnahs of ablution and not part of its obligations. It is obligatory to cover the entire face with water once.
Washing the face is an obligatory pillar of ablution, while mouth-rinsing and sniffing water are two independent sunnahs and not part of the obligations of washing the face; omitting them does not invalidate ablution.
Washing the face is an essential element of ablution, and mouth-rinsing and sniffing water are obligatory as part of washing the face, in both ablution and ghusl; ablution is not valid without them.