Does vomiting break wudu?
It depends on the school: the Shafi'i and Maliki schools say vomiting does not break wudu, while the Hanafis say a mouthful does and the Hanbalis say a large amount does. Either way, rinse your mouth and wash off any vomit before praying. Renewing your wudu after being sick is the easy, careful option.
What the schools say
- Hanafi: vomit that fills the mouth (too much to hold in easily) breaks wudu. A small amount does not.
- Hanbali: a large amount of vomit breaks wudu; a little does not.
- Shafi'i and Maliki: vomit does not break wudu at all, because only things that leave from the front or back passages, sleep, and a few other listed things break it.
Those who say it breaks wudu point to a report that the Prophet ﷺ vomited and then made wudu. Others answer that making wudu after something does not prove it was required, since the Prophet ﷺ often renewed his wudu. This is the same kind of debate as with bleeding. See Does bleeding break wudu?
Clean up first
Whatever your school, most scholars treat vomit as impure. Before you pray:
- Rinse your mouth well with water.
- Wash any vomit off your face, hands or hair.
- Wash or change clothes that got splashed. See Can I pray with a stain on my clothes?
A tiny unnoticed drop is usually forgiven, so don't hunt for invisible traces.
When you're ill
If you have a stomach bug, pregnancy sickness or chemo nausea, Islam doesn't want you to struggle:
Pray sitting or lying down if you need to, and if water makes you worse, ask about tayammum. See How do I do tayammum? Follow your doctor's advice on rest and fluids.
Vomiting while fasting
This is a separate question. Vomiting by accident does not break your fast, but making yourself vomit on purpose does. The Prophet ﷺ said that whoever is overcome by vomiting has no make-up to do, and whoever vomits deliberately must make up the day (Sunan Abi Dawud 2380).
- Shafi'i and Maliki: vomiting does not break wudu.
- Hanafi: a mouthful breaks it; Hanbali: a large amount breaks it.
- Rinse your mouth and clean any vomit before praying.
- Accidental vomiting doesn't break a fast; deliberate vomiting does.
People also ask
Does being naked break wudu?
No, being naked does not break wudu. Learn what does, why touching private parts is debated, and how to keep wudu after a shower.
Read the full answer →Does touching my private parts break wudu?
For most scholars, touching your private parts directly with the inner hand breaks wudu; Hanafis say it doesn't. Through clothes it never does.
Read the full answer →Does laughing break wudu?
No, laughing outside prayer does not break wudu. Audible laughter in prayer breaks the prayer, and Hanafis say loud laughter breaks wudu too.
Read the full answer →Does touching a dog break my wudu?
No, touching a dog does not break wudu. The schools differ on whether its saliva or wet fur is impure, so wash a licked spot before praying.
Read the full answer →Does touching a woman break wudu?
Whether touching a woman breaks wudu depends on the school: Hanafis say no, Shafi'is say skin contact does, Malikis and Hanbalis only with desire.
Read the full answer →