Is it Permissible to Use Warm Water for Wudu and Ghusl? Insights from Islamic Teachings
Ruling on Performing Wudu and Ghusl with Warm Water
Having warm water in winter and cold water in summer is among the blessings of Allah, for which we should be grateful. The temperature of water naturally corresponds to the season: it gets cold in winter and warm in summer. Allah has facilitated for us the means to warm cold water through various methods and to cool naturally hot water, allowing us to enjoy this precious blessing.
Using Warm Water for Wudu
Some people argue that performing wudu (ablution) with cold water is more rewarding, and therefore warm water should not be used for this purpose. This notion is incorrect. The Prophet ﷺ instructed performing wudu thoroughly, and in cold weather, some people neglect proper wudu. Warm water aids in completing wudu properly and allows one to do so without difficulty.
Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Shall I not tell you about something through which Allah erases sins and elevates ranks?”
The people said, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah!” He said:
“Performing the ablution thoroughly despite odds,”
(Sahih Muslim: 251)
If warm water is unavailable in extreme cold, using cold water for wudu undoubtedly brings greater reward. However, if warm water is available, it makes performing proper wudu easier without reducing the reward. It is a convenience provided by Allah.
Objections to Heating Water for Wudu and Ghusl
Some argue that since Allah has allowed tayammum (dry ablution) in the absence of water or when water is harmful, there is no need to heat water for wudu or ghusl. They often raise the specific issue of someone who becomes junub (in a state of major impurity) or experiences nocturnal emissions on a cold night. What should they do at Fajr when cold water is harmful? Scholars suggest such a person should heat water for ghusl. If heating water is not possible, they may perform tayammum.
Several responses address the objections raised in this regard:
1. Scholarly Consensus on the Purity of Water
Scholars unanimously agree that water remains pure as long as its color, taste, or smell does not change. Imam Nawawi (RA) reported Ibn Al-Mundhir’s statement regarding the consensus:
“Scholars agree that if impurities fall into a small or large quantity of water and change its taste, color, or smell, it becomes impure.”
(Nayl al-Awtar, 1/45)
Thus, as long as heating water does not alter these characteristics, it remains pure for wudu and ghusl.
2. Quranic Evidence
Allah says:
"And if you are ill, or on a journey, or one of you comes after answering the call of nature, or you have been in contact with women (by sexual relations) and you find no water, perform Tayammum with clean earth and rub therewith your faces and hands (Tayammum). Truly, Allah is Ever Oft-Pardoning, Oft-Forgiving."
(Surah An-Nisa: 43)
This verse mentions “water” in general, which includes cold, warm, and regular water. Since ancient times, people have been heating water to make it suitable for use, and with modern advancements, this process has become significantly easier.
3. Use of Naturally Warm Water
The water in seas, ponds, wells, and rivers becomes warm due to sunlight during summer. This water is permissible for wudu and ghusl.
Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that a man asked the Prophet ﷺ:
“O Messenger of Allah, we travel by sea, and we carry only a little water with us. If we use it for wudu, we will be thirsty. Can we perform wudu with seawater?”
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
“Its water is pure, and its dead animals are lawful to eat.”
(Sahih Tirmidhi: 69)
This indicates that just as naturally warm seawater is permissible, heating water to make it warm is also permissible for wudu and ghusl.
4. A Blessing from Allah
Having warm water in winter is a significant blessing from Allah, as are countless other conveniences. Utilizing such blessings to facilitate acts of worship demonstrates gratitude to Allah.
Allah says:
"And has subjected to you all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth; it is all as a favour and kindness from Him. Verily, in it are signs for a people who think deeply."
(Surah Al-Jathiyah: 13)
Heating water in winter is akin to using heaters, warm clothing, insulated houses, and warm vehicles – all of which are modern conveniences and blessings from Allah. Availing oneself of such blessings is not only permissible but encouraged.
Supporting Evidence for Using Ease in Worship
1. Allah says:
"Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship."
(Surah Al-Baqarah: 185)
2. Allah says:
"Allah intends to lighten your burden, for mankind was created weak."
(Surah An-Nisa: 28)
3. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Religion is very easy and whoever overburdens himself in his religion will not be able to continue in that way. So you should not be extremists, but try to be near to perfection and receive the good tidings that you will be rewarded; and gain strength by worshipping in the mornings, the afternoons, and during the last hours of the nights.”
(Sahih Bukhari: 39)
4. Aisha (RA) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Do good deeds that are within your capacity, for Allah does not get tired until you get tired.”
(Sahih Bukhari: 5861)
(5) Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with both of them) narrated:
“The Prophet (ﷺ) saw a man who had been put in the shade and saw a crowd of people around him (in the course of a journey). He said: Fasting while on journey is not part of righteousness.”
(Sahih Abu Dawood: 2407)
In light of this hadith, just as it is better for a person undergoing hardship to not fast during travel, it is preferable to use warm water for ablution when cold water causes difficulty.
Evidence Supporting the Use of Warm Water for Ablution and Bathing During Cold Weather
The aforementioned hadith, along with other evidence, shows that taking advantage of facilities like warm water for ablution and bathing in cold weather is permissible and encouraged. The practical lives of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions also reflect the allowance of such conveniences.
Clarifying a Doubt: The Claim that Water Heated by the Sun Causes Leprosy
There is a claim in some narrations that using water heated by the sun causes leprosy. However, these narrations lack authenticity. For example:
1. Aisha’s (may Allah be pleased with her) narration:
“Aisha said: I heated water in the sun for the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) to bathe, and he said to me, ‘O Humaira, do not do that, for it causes leprosy.'”
This narration was declared fabricated by Ibn Adi. (Al-Kamil fi al-Du’afa: 3/475)
2. Umar bin al-Khattab’s (may Allah be pleased with him) statement:
“Do not bathe with water heated by the sun, for it causes leprosy.”
Imam Nawawi stated that this report is weak, and nothing authentic has been established regarding water heated by the sun. (Al-Khulasa: 1/69)
Additionally, Al-‘Uqaili commented that there is no authentic evidence regarding water heated by the sun causing harm. (Al-Du’afa: 2/176)
This means there is no issue with using water heated by the sun.
Warm Water and Medical Perspective
Nowadays, medical professionals often advise bathing with warm water, especially for patients, as it is beneficial and not harmful to health. Warm water helps soothe skin affected by cold. However, prolonged use of very hot water may have negative effects; therefore, mildly warm water is recommended.
If there is no harm in bathing with warm water, then it is even more permissible to use it for ablution.
Written by: Shaikh Maqbool Ahmad Salafi (Hafizahullah)
Jeddah Dawah Center, Hay Al-Salamah – Saudi Arabia
Written by: Shaikh Maqbool Ahmad Salafi (Hafizahullah) 
English Interpreter: Hasan Fuzail