One of the common questions among Muslims is why Shiʿi and Sunni wuḍūʾ (ablution) differ, especially regarding whether the feet are wiped or washed.
The answer does not lie in having different Qur’ans, but rather in different methods of understanding religious sources.
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1. One Qur’an, Different Interpretations
All Muslims agree on the verse of wuḍūʾ:
Arabic:
> ﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ فَاغْسِلُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى الْمَرَافِقِ وَامْسَحُوا بِرُءُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلِكُمْ إِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ﴾
(Qur’an 5:6)
English Translation:
> O you who believe! When you rise for prayer, wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, and wipe your heads and your feet up to the ankles.
The difference begins with this question:
Is “your feet” (arjulikum) connected to “wash” or to “wipe”?
Should the feet be washed or wiped?
Both views have roots in Arabic grammar, accepted Qur’anic readings, and Islamic narrations.
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2. The Shiʿi Approach to Wuḍūʾ
Twelver Shiʿa believe that:
1. The apparent wording of the Qur’anic verse indicates wiping the feet, because:
“Arjulikum” is grammatically linked to “wipe” (wa’msaḥū) in the well-known recitation.
2. The Prophetic Sunnah must be understood through the Ahl al-Bayt (the Prophet’s family), who:
Lived closely with the Prophet ﷺ
Are regarded as the most reliable preservers of his practice
3. Numerous narrations from Imam ʿAlī, Imam al-Bāqir, and Imam al-Ṣādiq (peace be upon them) describe the Prophet’s wuḍūʾ as including wiping the feet.
From the Shiʿi perspective, this represents preserving the original Sunnah, not opposing other Muslims.
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3. The Sunni Approach to Wuḍūʾ
On the other hand, Sunnis:
1. Rely primarily on narrations transmitted by the Companions, such as:
ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān
ʿAbdullāh ibn Zayd
Abū Hurayrah
2. Many of these narrations describe washing the feet.
3. Some Qur’anic readings and grammatical interpretations are understood to support washing.
Therefore, Sunnis also perform wuḍūʾ based on the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, not personal preference.
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4. The Core Difference: Source of the Sunnah
The main point of difference is this:
Shiʿa maintain that the Sunnah must be taken from the Ahl al-Bayt
Sunnis maintain that the Sunnah can be taken from all trustworthy Companions
This methodological difference affects many legal issues, not only wuḍūʾ.
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5. Does This Mean One Wuḍūʾ Is Invalid?
From the Shiʿi viewpoint:
Shiʿi wuḍūʾ conforms to the apparent meaning of the Qur’an and the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt.
However, it is important to emphasize:
Sunnis perform wuḍūʾ with sincere intention to follow the Prophet ﷺ
The difference is one of juristic interpretation, not faith or sincerity
For this reason, the issue should not lead to accusations, hostility, or division.
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6. Conclusion
The difference between Shiʿi and Sunni wuḍūʾ:
Arises from different methods of understanding the Sunnah
Not from disagreement over the Qur’an
And not from disrespect toward the Prophet ﷺ
Both seek to follow the Prophet’s wuḍūʾ,
but they arrive there through two distinct scholarly paths.
> Differences in jurisprudence reflect diversity in understanding, not distance from Islam.
