Tears That Flow From An Infected Eye And Their Effect On Wudu

Darulifta Ahlesunnat

(Dawateislami)

Question

What do the scholars of Islam say regarding the following: Does even a single tear flowing during an eye illness invalidate Wudu?

بِسْمِ اللہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ

اَلْجَوَابُ بِعَوْنِ الْمَلِکِ الْوَھَّابِ اَللّٰھُمَّ ھِدَایَۃَ الْحَقِّ وَالصَّوَابِ

If even a single tear flows from an ailing eye and reaches an area that is washed in wuḍūˈ or ghusl, wuḍūˈ will be invalid.

That which flows from an eye due to a wound or infection is a major impurity. If it flows from the eye and reaches the eyelashes or the corner of the eye, wuḍūˈ will be invalid. This is because while washing the face in wuḍūˈ or ghusl, it is compulsory to wash the eyelashes and the corners of the eyes. However, if the fluid remained within the eye, wuḍūˈ would not be invalid.

Regarding discharge from any part of the body due to illness, it is stated in Ghunyat al-Mustamlī and al-Ikhtiyār etc.:

کل مایخرج من علۃ من ای موضع کان کالاذن والثدی والسرۃ ونحوھا فانہ ناقض علی الاصح لانہ صدید[1]

In Fatāwā ꜤĀlamgīrī, it is mentioned in that which invalidates wuḍūˈ:

ما يخرج من غير السبيلين ويسيل إلى ما يظهر من الدم والقيح والصديد والماء لعلة وحد السيلان أن يعلو فينحدر عن رأس الجرح ---الدم والقيح والصديد وماء الجرح والنفطة والسرة والثدي والعين والأذن لعلة سواء ، على الأصح كذا في الزاهدي[2]

If fluid from an infected eye flows within it, wuḍūˈ will not be invalid as explained in al-Baḥr al-Rāˈiq:

قال في فتح القدير لو خرج من جرح في العين دم فسال إلى الجانب الآخر منها لا ينقض لأنه لا يلحقه حكم هو وجوب التطهير أو ندبہ[3]

Imam Aḥmad Razā Khān رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه says in al-Fatāwā al-Razawiyyah:

Our scholars have said that the flowing substance which exits the body due to illness invalidates wuḍū. For example, the discharge from infected eyes, or an eye disease, or any ailment of the eye, ear, and navel, including pimples, ulcers, etc., will invalidate wuḍūˈ.[4]

Discussing the limbs which are compulsory to wash in wuḍūˈ, the Imam also says:

4) The four edges of the eyes, one must not close his eyes tightly so that he can remove anything solid that has dried upon them. 5) Every hair of the eyelashes, completely. Sometimes, eyelashes can be completed covered in dried mud which impedes water; this is necessary to clean.[5]

Muftī Amjad ꜤAlī al-AꜤẓamī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه writes in Bahār-e-SharīꜤat:

Wuḍūˈ is invalid if blood, pus, or yellow fluid flows to the extent that it reaches a part of the body that is compulsory to wash in wuḍūˈ or ghusl. If it flowed but not to the extent of reaching such a part, then wuḍūˈ will not be invalid. This applies to, for example, a spot which has discharged within the eye, but has not flowed out… If the eye, ear, navel, or breast, etc., are affected by a sore, ulcer, or infection which causes tears or flowing discharge, wuḍūˈ will be invalid.”[6]