Washing the Arms to the Elbows, and Whether the Elbows Are Included

F76Chapter on the Description of the Ablution

Washing the Arms to the Elbows, and Whether the Elbows Are Included

What is the ruling on washing the arms to the elbows in the ablution, and are the elbows part of what must be washed?

Hanafi

Washing the arms to the elbows is one of the obligations of the ablution, and the elbows are included in what is washed.

Reference: Al-Hidāyah — Radd al-Muḥtār — Tabyīn al-Ḥaqāʾiq

Maliki

Washing the arms together with the elbows is an obligation in the ablution, and the water must cover them entirely.

Reference: Al-Mudawwanah — Al-Sharḥ al-Kabīr — Mawāhib al-Jalīl

Shāfiʿī

Washing the arms together with the elbows is one of the obligations of the ablution, and including them is required — Sūrat al-Māʾidah, verse 6.

Reference: Al-Umm — Minhāj al-Ṭālibīn — Al-Majmūʿ

Hanbali

Washing the arms together with the elbows is one of the obligations of the ablution, and the elbows must be included, since the Prophet ﷺ did so in explanation of the verse.

Reference: Al-Mughnī — Al-Kāfī — Kashshāf al-Qināʿ