The Ruling on Performing Wudu for Standing in Night Prayer

Question:
Farhan Hamad sent this question, asking: Is it obligatory to perform wudu for the tahajjud prayer in the last part of the night?

Answer:
If he is not in a state of wudu, it is obligatory for him to perform wudu. If he has broken his wudu after 'Isha' by passing wind, urinating, or defecating, it is obligatory for him; he cannot pray without wudu. However, if he is still in the state of purity from 'Isha' and wishes to perform tahajjud, and has not broken his wudu since his purification for 'Isha', there is no harm. But if he has slept or broken his wudu, wudu is necessary for tahajjud, just as it is for the other prayers. He must clean himself if he has urinated, then perform the wudu for prayer. If he has only passed wind, wudu is sufficient for him: he washes, rinses his mouth, sniffs water into his nose, washes his face and hands, wipes his head and ears, and washes his feet. If he has urinated or defecated, cleaning himself is necessary; he must clean himself first, then perform the wudu for prayer.