Q: Ibn Al-Qayyim (may Allah be merciful to him) said that there are no Hadith reported at all that the Prophet (peace be upon him) limited wiping to just part of his head (while performing Wudu’ [ablution]). In fact, it is reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) wiped the front of his head and part of his turban. (Part No. 5; Page No. 210) It is also narrated that he (peace be upon him) used to wipe his head with his hands, moving them backwards and forwards. My question is: Is it permissible for women to intentionally cover their hair at the time of Wudu’ so that they can do as the Prophet (peace be upon him) did and wipe the front of their head and part of their veil, considering it to be like a turban, or would that be considered as Bid‘ah (innovation in religion), because they intentionally cover their head to wipe over their veil? If this is not permissible, how can women wipe backwards and forwards over their long hair and should they wipe over it all or just a part of it? I said at the beginning of my question that this is the opinion of Ibn Al-Qayyim (may Allah be merciful to him). What is your response to this question? May Allah grant you success!

A: All praise be to Allah Alone, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger, and his family and Companions. It is authentically reported in many Hadith Sahih (authentic Hadith) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to wipe over all his hair during Wudu' beginning from the front of the head to the back and then to the front again, and this is the basic ruling and is in fact the explanation of the Words of Allah (Exalted be He): ...rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads It is also authentically related that he wiped over his turban during Wudu’ as was related by Ahmad and Al-Bukhari, on the authority of `Amr ibn Umayyah Al-Damary, who said, “I saw the Prophet (peace be upon him) wiping over his turban and his Khuffs (leather socks).” It is also related by Ahmad, Muslim, Al-Nasa'y, and Al-Tirmidhy, on the authority of Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him) who said, “The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) wiped over Khuffs and head cover.” It is authentically narrated that he (peace be upon him) “Wiped the forepart of his head, and over the turban and Khuffs.” This was related by Muslim on the authority of (Part No. 5; Page No. 211)  Al-Mughirah ibn Shu‘bah (may Allah be pleased with him). Therefore, it is permissible to wipe in these three ways, if someone puts on a turban and Khuffs when they are in Taharah (a state of ritual purity), for one day and one night for someone who is resident, and for three days and nights for someone on a journey, as confirmed by the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him). However, it has not been reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) uncovered his head and then put on a turban during Wudu’ to allow himself to wipe over it, teach this to his Sahabah (Companions, may Allah be pleased with them), and make it permissible for his Ummah (nation). Therefore, it is not permissible to uncover the head to then allow oneself to cover it again during Wudu’ in order to wipe over a turban or a head cover.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.