Is continuity a condition for the validity of wudu'?

The Shaykh : Continuity.

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : It seems you are asking whether continuity is a condition or not.

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : Yes, there is no doubt that continuity is a condition, but continuity does not mean that no separation can occur during the wudu'.

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : The continuity (muwalah) in the sense that is a condition for the validity of the ablution is one of the terms that is interpreted by custom, just as travel is, and illness is. What is illness? What is travel? It is not absolute. Likewise, continuity is not absolute. There is undoubtedly a type of continuity that a person does not doubt has ceased in a certain situation. Some scholars give as an example a man who, for instance, performed half of his ablution in his house, then went to the mosque and completed his ablution. This is not called continuity by custom or by language. But if, for example, he was in the middle of performing ablution, got distracted by something, and then quickly returned to complete his ablution, then this continuity is not like that other continuity. Also, as is the case with many matters to which the Messenger (peace be upon him) referred in the well-known hadith: A person may sometimes fall into confusion, wondering, "Is this continuity or is it not continuity?" In that case, it is said: .