Q 1: I usually make Wudu' (ablution) in accordance with what is related from the Prophet (peace be upon him), washing the bodily parts of Wudu' thrice except for the head and ears, which I wash once. Recently, I was afflicted with an allergy which necessitates that I sniff water more than five times after I complete Wudu' because it relieves the severe inflammation in my nose caused by the allergy. I know that adding something extra to Wudu' is not permissible, but with regard to my case what should I do? Please reply, May Allah reward you.

A: Performing Istinshaq (sniffing water into the nose and then expelling it) several times after finishing Wudu' (Part No. 4; Page No. 82) in order to relieve the inflammation in your nose, without considering it part of Wudu', is not a problem and there is no prohibition about it. However, if you are fasting, do not exaggerate by sniffing water all the way up into your nose for this is Makruh (disliked) during observing Sawm (Fasting). Moreover, it is an act of Sunnah not to exaggerate in sniffing water into the nose for the fasting person, lest water may enter into the throat. It was authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: Exaggerate in taking water into the nose except if you are fasting. (Related by Imam Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah and Al-Tirmidhy who ranked is as Hasan Sahih [a Hadith that stands at a higher level than a mere Hasan Hadith, but at a bit lower level than Sahih])May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.