Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Karim Yahya, SunniPath Academy Teacher
Is it permissible to perform parts of ablution (wudu) a different number of times, such as some parts twice and others three times, for example washing the face and other parts two times but wiping the socks three times? Also, a reason for asking this is that I usually wash my arms with water twice and then wipe each one its own time, i.e. after washing it twice, then wipe the arm fully and between the fingers thinking this may be counted as a third washing of the arm, is it? For this reason, I then do other parts twice, in order to keep the number of times of each one the same, meaning just incase the wiping of the arm is counted with the second washing. Therefore, can you please answer the questions to resolve this for me?
In The Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate
It is generally offensive (makruh) to deliberately wash any of the limbs of ablution less than three times. Wiping the limbs that are washed is an independent sunna that should also be done three times, either along with each washing or after all three of them.[1]
It should also be noted that wiping over footgear is permissible, but only with relatively narrow conditions that are not fulfilled by normal socks [see Reliance of The Traveler section e6]. And Allah knows best and He alone gives success (tawfiq).
[1] See: Ibn Hajar al-Haytami, Hawashi al-Sharwani Wa Ibn Qasim al-Abbadi 'Ala Tuhfah al-Muhtaj Bisharh al-Minhaj (Beruit, Dar Ihya' al-Turath al-'Arabi), 1:231.
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