Q: Our (Muslim) brothers in the Republic of Mali differ regarding wiping the ears while performing Wudu’ (ablution); some of them say that it is not authentically confirmed that the Prophet (peace be upon him) wiped his ears during Wudu'?

A: All praise be to Allah Alone, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger, and his family and Companions. It is authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) wiped his head and ears during Wudu’. It is reported that Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) said, “The Prophet (peace be upon him) wiped over his head, and his ears from both inside and outside.” (Part No. 5; Page No. 214)  (Related by Al-Tirmidhy who ranked it as Sahih [authentic]) Al-Nasa'y also related, “He (peace be upon him) wiped his head, and the inside of his ears with his index fingers and the outside of them with his thumbs.” (Ranked as Sahih [authentic] by Ibn Khuzaymah). Abu Dawud and Al-Tahawy related, on the authority of Miqdad ibn Ma‘dy Karib, “During his Wudu’, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) wiped his head, his ears both inside and outside, and put his finger in his ear canals.” Al-Hafizh Ibn Hajar said, "Its Sanad (chain of narration) is good." We do not know of any disagreement regarding the permissibility of wiping the ears, but the disagreement is whether they are part of the head or not, and whether wiping them is Wajib (obligatory) or Sunnah (commendable).May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.