Beneficial Fatwaa from Ash-Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah bin Baz
Ash-Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Baz was asked:
If a person touches their privates, without a covering, does this nullify the wuduu, even if it is without shahwaa (sexual desires or temptation)?
So the Sheikh responded by saying:
Touching the private parts nullifies the wudu, if there is nothing covering the private part (eg. clothing or a glove etc), even if it is without shahwaa (sexual desires or temptations). This is the correct opinion. That is because the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, has clarified (this issue) when he said: “Any man who touches his private parts, without a covering, it has become obligatory upon him to make wuduu, and any woman who has touched her private parts, it has become obligatory for her to make wuduu).” In this hadith, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, did not make having shahwaa (sexual desires or temptations) a condition inorder for the wuduu to be nullified. This indicates that if one touches their private parts without a covering, with or without sexual desires then this nullifies the wuduu, in all cases. Regardless of whether it is a man or woman, if a man touches his private parts or his wife’s private parts, or the private parts of his infant baby, the wuduu is nullified. And likewise, if a woman touches her private parts, or her husband’s private parts, or her children’s private parts, the wuduu is nullified.
The questioner says: “Noble Sheikh, many mothers are ignorant to this ruling.”
The Sheikh says, “No, this is important, because if a person’s wuduu is nullified by touching his private parts, then more so if they touch their children’s private parts.”
The questioner says, “So if a mother is cleaning her children, and she is in a state of ritual purity, she has to repeat the wuduu?”
The Sheikh, “(yes), if she touches their private parts, regardless of whether they are males or females.”
