Is it more virtuous to dry or not to dry oneself after making wudu?

Dear Brother / Sister,

Hz. Aisha narrates:

"The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) had a cloth with which he dried himself after wudu." [Tirmidhi, Taharah 40, (53)]

Hz. Mu'adh narrates:  

"I saw the Messenger of Allah (pbuh). When he made wudu, he wiped his face with some part of his garment." [Tirmidhi, Taharah 40, (54)]

Those narrations show that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) used a handkerchief (towel, cloth, etc.) to dry his face and arms after wudu. However, Tirmidhi states that the narrations regarding the issue are weak: "No sound narration reached us from the Messenger of Allah regarding the issue."

According to what Tirmidhi states, the Companions and some scholars that came after them regarded it appropriate to use a handkerchief, etc. to dry oneself after wudu but others did not allow it. Those who do not regard drying after wudu appropriate hold the view that wudu water will be weighed on the Day of Judgment. Zuhri said, "Handkerchief is regarded as makruh because wudu water will be weighed on the Day of Judgment." According to this view, it is makruh to dry wudu water by wiping since it will be weighed.

The decree on the issue of drying oneself after wudu is controversial as it is seen but it is generally decreed that there is no drawback to drying. Therefore, there are some scholars who regard drying oneself among the adabs of wudu.

However, according to Shafiis, it is not appropriate to dry wudu organs with a handkerchief or towel except for the excuses like very cold and very hot weather causing the water that does not dry on the organs give trouble to the person or to get dirty.

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