Looking at the mirror while making Wudhoo’ is harmless

26-8-2015 | IslamWeb

Question:

Is it permissible to look at the mirror while making Wudhoo’ (ablution)?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah , the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah  and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

Looking at the mirror while making Wudhoo’ is harmless since there is no evidence that prevents this. However, one should be mindful of two things:

First: one who performs Wudhoo’ is not required to look at the mirror to make sure that his face is clean. It is sufficient for him to most likely believe that his face is clean, whether Wudhoo’ is performed during the daytime or at night. It was reported that the Prophet used to make Ghusl (shower taken when in a state of major impurity due to intimate relations, a wet dream, losing consciousness, ...) at night with ‘Aa’ishah, may Allaah  be pleased with her, and she did not mention that he used to look at the mirror to make sure of cleanliness. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Second: some of the scholars of Fiqh urged remembrance of Allaah  and avoiding other concerns while making Wudhoo’. They said that such an act helps one to be submissively humble in prayer. It is permissible for one who performs Wudhoo’  in a place that is eligible to mention the Name of Allaah therein, contrary to one who performs Wudhoo’ in the toilet, for example.

Allaah  Knows best.