Touching Baby's Private Parts Does Not Invalidate Ablution

24-7-2001 | IslamWeb

Question:

I was wondering if you could help me, Insha Allah. I look after two children every day of the week, the youngest one is still in nappies, I have heard that when you are changing a nappy and cleaning the baby, if you accidentally catch the baby's private parts that you lose your Wudu. I was just wondering if it was true or not?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

The ablution of a woman who washes a child or even touches his private parts is valid and not annulled as a result of this act according to the preponderant opinion of the Muslim scholars. In fact, the touching of the private parts that nullifies the ablution is the person's touching of his /her own private parts.

Moreover, the reason the scholars believe that touching the private parts nullifies ablution, is the touching that arouses the sexual desire, which does not exist in this situation; i.e., when a woman touches her child's private parts. Imposing ablution on a woman for this touching causes much hardship for her. Allah Says (what means): {…and has not laid upon you in religion any hardship…} [Quran 22:78]

Therefore, you are not asked to make up for the prayers you performed after you performed ablution and touched your child's private parts.

Allah knows best.