If water enters the nose unintentionally during Wudu, what should I do?

In a Nutshell: Unintentionally getting water in your nose during wudu does not invalidate your wudu. Simply exhale the water and continue your prayer ablutions as usual. This is the consensus ruling amongst all four major Sunni schools of Islamic jurisprudence (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i and Hanbali madhhabs). Table of Contents Introduction Background and Context Evidences Analysis of If Water Enters The Nose Unintentionally During Wudu, What Should Be Done? Misconceptions about Water Entering Nose During Wudu Objections to the Ruling on Unintentional Water Entry in Nose FAQs about Wudu and Water Entering the Nose Conclusion Introduction Performing wudu (ablution) is a vital prerequisite for Muslims before offering prayers (salah). Muslims are required to wash specific parts of the body with clean water during wudu. A common concern arises when water unintentionally enters the nose while performing wudu. Does this unintentional act nullify the wudu, requiring one to repeat it before prayer? Evidences The Quran emphasizes the importance of purification for prayer: ...And purify yourselves... (Quran 5:6) Several hadiths also address acts that do not break wudu. In one narration, the Prophet (saw) said: Except what touches your clothes (of a discharge), or you touch your private parts, or bleeding breaks your wudu. (Sahih al-Bukhari: 169) This hadith indicates that involuntary acts, such as unintentional water entering the nose, do not invalidate wudu. If Water Enters The Nose Unintentionally During Wudu, What Should Be Done? All four madhhabs (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i and Hanbali) agree that unintentionally getting water in your nose during wudu does not break your wudu. Here's a breakdown of the reasoning: Intention is Key: Islamic scholars emphasize the importance of intention (niyyah) in actions that break wudu. Unintentionally getting water in the nose lacks the intention to interrupt the wudu process. Focus on Washing Required Parts: Wudu entails washing specific body parts and the unintentional entry of water into the nose does not fulfill the requirement of deliberately washing that part. Similar to Rainwater: Rainwater that falls on a person during prayer is not considered to invalidate wudu because it is not a deliberate act. Similarly, unintentional water entering the nose during wudu is treated in the same way. Therefore, if water enters your nose unintentionally while performing wudu, simply exhale the water and continue with your wudu as usual. You do not need to repeat the ablution. Misconceptions about Water Entering Nose During Wudu Here are some common misunderstandings surrounding the issue of water entering the nose during wudu: Any water entering an orifice invalidates wudu: This is incorrect. Only certain actions, performed with intention, break wudu. Forceful expulsion of water is necessary: Some believe you must forcefully blow water out of your nose. However, gently exhaling is sufficient. Different rulings based on amount of water: The amount of water entering the nose is irrelevant. Whether it's a small or large amount, your wudu remains valid if the entry of water was unintentional. Needing to repeat wudu after blowing your nose: If water enters your nose unintentionally and you subsequently blow your nose, you do not need to repeat wudu, your wudu remains valid. Tasting water invalidates wudu: Merely tasting the water in your nose does not invalidate your wudu. Objections to the Ruling on Unintentional Water Entry in Nose Some objections to this ruling include: Washing an additional part of the body: It's argued that water entering the nose equates to washing a part not included in wudu. However, this is not a deliberate washing required in the process of wudu. Water remaining in the nose: Some might argue that if water stays in the nasal cavity, wudu is incomplete. However, this is similar to having water in the ears after wudu, which doesn't invalidate the ablution. Contradicts hadith on rinsing the nose: Some reference ahadith on rinsing the nose during wudu to object to this ruling. However, those refer to purposefully rinsing the nose (and sometimes even gargling), not to unintentional entry of water. Encourages carelessness: It's argued this ruling promotes laxity during wudu. However, it ensures ease and avoids placing undue hardship on individuals as Islam is a religion of moderation. Differences among scholars: Some might believe there is a difference within madhhabs on the issue. However, there's consensus across the four major Sunni schools of thought on this matter. FAQs about Wudu and Water Entering the Nose What if water enters my mouth unintentionally while rinsing my nose? Spit out the water and continue wudu. It does not invalidate your ablution. Does forceful exhalation of water from nose break wudu? Exhaling too forcefully might disrupt your wudu. Gently blowing your nose is sufficient. If I smell or taste the water, does it affect wudu? No, merely smelling or tasting the water in your nose does not invalidate wudu. What if I get water in my ears unintentionally? Similar to the nose, unintentional water entering your ears does not break wudu. Is this ruling applicable for ghusl? Yes, the same ruling mostly applies to ghusl (full body ritual bath) as well. Conclusion The established consensus across the four major Sunni madhhabs is that unintentional entry of water into your nose during wudu does not invalidate your purification. Understanding the detailed reasoning behind madhhab rulings clarifies any misunderstandings and allows Muslims to perform acts of worship with certainty and ease.