Q: I heard a scholar saying that making any addition in Wudu' (ablution) is impermissible. For example, washing the arms beyond the elbows or washing each organ more than three times is not permissible. This opinion confused me.

A: All praise be to Allah Alone, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger, and his family and Companions.Wudu’ (ablution) is an act of worship and acts of worship are Tawqifiy (bound by the relevant religious text and not amenable to personal opinion) which we cannot know unless they are reported in the Shari‘ah (Islamic law). Therefore, it is incumbent upon the Muslim to act only upon what is authentically reported in the Shari‘ah. Whoever adds to what has been authentically reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) as regards the number of washes or wipes for each part of the body required to be washed in Wudu’ or exceeds the limit in washing or wiping the organ is doing something wrong by exceeding the proper limit and adding to what Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him) enjoined. Nevertheless, his Wudu’ is valid but not perfect. To perfect Wudu’, a person should not make any addition to the Wudu’ prescribed by the Prophet (peace be upon him). It is obligatory for a person performing ablution to let the water reach all the parts of the body that are necessary to be washed. If a handful of water was not enough to wash each part, the person may take more water until the part of the body has been washed completely.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.