Is it permissible to perform wudu with water heated by the sun?

During the summer months, many people ask whether it is permissible to perform wudu with water that has been heated by the sun, or to take a shower or ghusl with water that has been left outside in the sun.

In general, water heated by the sun is considered pure and suitable for purification. That is, if a person performs wudu or ghusl with sun-heated water, both their wudu and ghusl are valid. However, whether using such water is makruh or not is a matter of scholarly disagreement. The majority of Hanafi scholars permit the use of sun-heated water, since the basic principle is that things are permissible unless there is clear evidence to prohibit them, and there are no authentic prohibitive proofs regarding this issue.

Some Hanafi scholars, as well as the majority of Maliki and Shafi'i scholars, consider it makruh tanzihi [1]. Their evidence is:

"When Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) heated water in the sun, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to her: 'O Humaira! Do not do that, for it causes leprosy' [2]."

This hadith was narrated by ad-Daraqutni and classified as weak, so it is not a strong proof. Scholars have set the following conditions for water heated by the sun to be considered makruh [3]:

• It must be in a country with a very hot climate. This ruling does not apply to places without intense heat.

• The water must be in a metal vessel that melts in fire, such as iron, copper, or bronze, but not gold or silver. Water heated in plastic, wood, clay, or small ponds does not fall under this ruling.

• It is makruh to use sun-heated water on the body while it is still hot. It is permissible to use it for washing clothes or after it has cooled down.

• The time for prayer must be ample. If there is little time left for prayer and no other water is available, it becomes obligatory to use the sun-heated water for wudu.

• One must be sure, through experience or a trustworthy doctor, that the water is not harmful. If it is known to be harmful and there is no other water, then tayammum should be performed instead.

When Imam Shafi'i (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked about performing wudu with water heated in a metal vessel, he said: "I do not say that wudu with sun-heated water is makruh, unless it is proven to be medically harmful" [4].

Therefore, performing wudu with sun-heated water is valid. However, if doctors state that such water can cause skin diseases, then using it is mildly makruh.

Medet Kursakov,

Specialist, Sharia and Fatwa Department, Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan

• [1] "Al-Mawsu'ah al-Fiqhiyyah", vol. 39, p. 363.

• [2] Narrated by Daraqutni.

• [3] Abd al-Fattah Husni al-Shaykh, "Fiqh al-'Ibadat", p. 211.

• [4] Book: "Al-Umm".