Question:

Forgetting to say Bismillah at the start of Wudhu

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh. 

The Answer:

If one forgot to say Bismillah at the start of Wudhu, they have missed the particular time when it is Sunnah to recite. However, you are still encouraged to recite Bismillah for its blessings and virtues during the Wudhu when you remember.

And Allah Ta’ālā Knows Best

Mufti Faraz Adam

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ولو نسي التسمية في ابتداء الوضوء ثم ذكرها في خلاله فسمی لا تحصل السنة بخلاف نحوه في الأكل كذا في التبيين معللا بأن الوضوء عمل واحد بخلاف الأكل، فإن كُ لقمة فعل مبتدأ. ولهذا ذكر في الخانية لو قال كلما أكلت اللحم فلله علي أن أتصدق بدرهم فعليهبكل لقمة درهم ؛ لأن كُ لقمة أكل لكن قال المحقق ابن الهمام هو إنما يستلزم في الأكل تحصيل السنة في الباقي لا استدراك ما فات. وظاهره مع ما قبله أنه إذا نسي التسمية فإتيانه بها وعدمه سواء مع أن ظاهر ما في السراج الوهاج أن الإتيان بها مطلوب ولفظه ،فإن نسي التسمية في أول الطهارة أت بها إذا ذكرها قبل الفراغ حتى لا يخلو الوضوء منها (البحر الرائق 1/20)