Yes, wudu, which is a partial ablution in Islam, does break under certain circumstances.
What Invalidates Wudu?
Based on the reference provided, several actions and conditions will nullify wudu, requiring a person to perform it again before engaging in activities that require ritual purity, such as prayer. These include:
Bodily Excretions:
- Urination: Passing urine breaks wudu.
- Defecation: Passing stool breaks wudu.
- Flatulence: Passing gas also invalidates wudu.
Sleep:
- Deep Sleep: Falling into a deep sleep is considered to break wudu.
Bleeding:
- Light Bleeding: This is dependent on the madhhab (school of thought). In some schools, even light bleeding will break wudu, while in others, it may not.
Female-Specific Conditions:
- Menstruation: The onset of menstruation breaks wudu.
- Postpartum Status: Bleeding after childbirth also breaks wudu.
Sexual Intercourse:
- Sexual Intercourse: Engaging in sexual intercourse necessitates ghusl (full ablution) and, by extension, breaks wudu.
Wudu vs Ghusl
It is important to distinguish between wudu and ghusl. Wudu, as described in the reference, is considered a "partial ablution," involving washing specific body parts, like the face, hands, arms, head, and feet. Ghusl, on the other hand, is a "full ablution" requiring washing the entire body. Ghusl is necessary after certain situations, like sexual intercourse and menstruation.
Practical Implications
Understanding what breaks wudu is vital for practicing Muslims who need to maintain a state of ritual purity for specific acts of worship.
Example
If someone performs wudu and then falls asleep deeply, they would need to perform wudu again before prayer. Similarly, if someone has any of the other listed events, wudu will need to be performed again.
