What do ‘elbows’, ‘ankles’ and ‘wrists’ mean in the rulings of wudu?
Source-verified English summary of the Shaykh’s ruling. The original Arabic source has been verified. Independent scholarly review is shown separately when completed; refer to the original Arabic source for the Shaykh’s complete wording.
Review status: Independent scholarly review pending.
Short answer
In summary, Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen explains the body landmarks used in purification rulings: the elbow is the joint between the forearm and upper arm, the ankle is the prominent bone at the side of the foot where the leg meets the foot, and the wrist is the joint where the hand meets the forearm. These boundaries matter because wudu requires washing the arms including the elbows and the feet including the ankles.
What does that mean?
Why these words matter
Fiqh texts use precise body landmarks. Knowing them helps you understand exactly how far the required washing extends.
Do not stop short
When washing the arms and feet, include the elbows and ankles rather than stopping before the joint.
Try this scenario
You wash your forearms but stop just before the elbow joint.
Extend the washing to include the elbow itself.
What can change the answer?
- Are you asking about normal wudu or a special case involving a cast, wound or bandage?
Quick check
- Are the elbows included in the required washing of the arms?
- YesThe Qur’anic boundary is understood to include the elbows.
- Are the ankles included when washing the feet?
- YesThe feet are washed up to and including the ankles.
Why?
The Shaykh explains the anatomical terms used in purification rulings and elsewhere clarifies that the Prophetic wudu includes the elbows and ankles.
Check you understood
Reveal the answer and explanation
Correct answer: No — the elbow is included
The elbow is part of the required washing boundary.
Original source
معنى المرفقين والكعبين والكوعين.
- Shaykh
- Muhammad ibn Salih al-‘Uthaymeen رحمه الله
- Series
- اللقاء الشهري
- Reference
- اللقاء الشهري [51]
- Review status
- Official Arabic source verified; independent scholarly review pending
Original Arabic question
كثير ما يسمع المرء بهذه العبارات ويخلط بينها: المرفقين، الكعبين، الكوعين، ونحو ذلك، هل من بيان لها وفقك الله؟
Source-verified English summary of the Shaykh’s ruling. The original Arabic source has been verified. Independent scholarly review is shown separately when completed; refer to the original Arabic source for the Shaykh’s complete wording.