136 / Remembrances for Ablution
Imam Ahmad, Abu Dāwūd, Ibn Mājah, and others narrated from Abu Hurayrah—may Allah be pleased with him—that the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—said: “There is no prayer for one who has no ablution, and no ablution for one who does not mention Allah’s name over it.” 1 This hadith is graded good owing to its corroborating reports, and more than one scholar has graded it as such. It establishes that mentioning Allah’s name at the beginning of ablution is prescribed.
The scholars—may Allah have mercy on them—differed concerning its ruling. The majority held that it is recommended, while some scholars held that it is obligatory if a person knows the ruling and remembers to say it. If he is unaware of the ruling or forgets to say it, there is no blame upon him, nor is he required to repeat his ablution.
Imam Shaykh Abd al-Azīz ibn Bāz—may Allah have mercy on him—was asked about the ruling on one who forgets to mention Allah’s name during ablution. He replied: “The majority of scholars hold that ablution is valid without mentioning Allah’s name, while some scholars hold that mentioning His name is obligatory when one knows the ruling and remembers to do so, based on the report that the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—said: ‘There is no ablution for one who does not mention Allah’s name over it.’ However, the ablution of one who omits it through forgetfulness or ignorance is valid, and he is not required to repeat it, even if we maintain that mentioning Allah’s name is obligatory, because he is excused on account of ignorance or forgetfulness. The evidence for this is the statement of Allah Most High: ‘Our Lord, do not take us to task if we forget or make a mistake.’ 2 It is authentically reported from the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—that Allah, Glorified be He, answered this supplication. Thus, if you forget to mention Allah’s name at the beginning of ablution and then remember during it, you should mention His name, and you do not have to repeat