Hair Re-growth and Wudu

Question: If I apply a hair regrowth medication to my scalp, can I still make wudu?

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

When making wudu, it is sufficient to apply water by wiping or otherwise to the smallest area on the scalp of the hair of the head (Minhaj al Talibin, Nawawi).  As long as either can be done, wudu is not a problem if one has thin medication on one’s scalp.

If all of the hair and scalp are covered, then it would not be possible to make wudu. For this reason, one would have to choose a better time to apply the medication.

With regard to the medicine having alcohol, the default position in the Shafi’i school is that one may apply alcohol to one’s body for a need, but one must wash it off before one prays (Bushra al Karim,  Ba Ishn).

There are however alternative positions. Please see: https://seekersguidance.org/answers/shafii-fiqh/substances-mixed-alcohol-excused-according-shafii-school/

I pray this helps.

[Ustadh] Farid

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Farid Dingle has completed extensive years of study in the sciences of the Arabic language and the various Islamic Sciences. During his studies, he also earned a CIFE Certificate in Islamic Finance. Over the years he has developed a masterful ability to craft lessons that help non-Arabic speakers gain a deep understanding of the language. He currently teaches courses in the Arabic Language