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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Questions on Jurisprudence Chapter Six: The Wiping of the Ears and the Six Different Derivatives The Imamis (Shi’i) are agreed, in following the Imams from the pure family of (S), that the mash of the ears is not a part of the ‘wudhu’, for there is no proof for it in the book, the ‘sunnah’, or, in any consensus.

Rather, it is clear from the book that the ‘wudhu’ consists of the two washings - the face and the hands - and the two wipings - the head and the feet. The [School of] Hanbalis have deemed it obligatory to wipe the ears with the auditory meatus. Ibn Rushd reported this view from Abu Hanifa, and his companions. [School of] Al-Shafi'i and Malik say that wiping them is recommended. They have differed regarding taking fresh water for them.

A group has broken up from them and have stated they (the ears) are to be washed with the face. Others have said: "The inner [part] is to be wiped with the [wiping of the] head, the outer is to be washed with the face." Al-Shafi`i says it is recommended to repeat [the act] just as he recommends [the repetition] when wiping on the head. They have argued based on weak traditions, they do not prove anything for us. The two Shaykhs, al-Bukhari and Muslim, have not reported anything about it.

Despite the weak traditions, those attaching importance to it have done so due to the force of it being widely practised amongst them. But, the Imams of guidance [from the holy family of (S)], being the weighty thing from the Prophet of God (S), did not pay heed to it; they are the people of the house of Prophecy. The people of the house (‘Ahlul Bayt’) are more knowledgeable regarding this, for us, the two weighty things are sufficient. Is It Sufficient to Wash the Head Instead of Wiping It?

The people of the four schools of thought [Shafi, Malik, Hanbal and Hanafi] have agreed that the washing of the head in the ‘wudhu’ is sufficient instead of wiping on it; however, they have differed as to whether it is an abominable act, or, not. The [School of] Hanafis and Hanbalis stated that it is abominable, arguing that it is contrary to what Allah (S.w.T.) has commanded.

The [School of] Shafi`is maintained: "It is not detestable but it is opposite to what is preferable to do." The Hanbalis said: "The washing can replace the mash provided the hand passes on the head." As for the Imamis (Shi’i), they are agreed that it is not acceptable as it is contrary to what Allah (S.w.T.) commanded.