Fatwa ID: 07376

Answered by: Mufti Yusuf Khan

Question:

Some shampoos contain silicones like dimethicone and dimethiconol that create a barrier which cant be washed away with water. Would this be considered a barrier for wudu?

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

Dimethicone and Dimethiconol, found in many hair care products and creams, forms a non-water-soluble barrier on the hair, preventing water from reaching the hair and scalp. This is to seal hydration to the skin.

For wudu to be valid, any substance that prevents water from reaching the skin or hair must be removed. ^[1] Dimethicone and Dimethiconol would need to be thoroughly cleansed from the hair to ensure that water can properly reach the hair and scalp during wudu.

Due to nature of silicone-based ingredients in creams it best to take precaution regardless due to the hadeeth:

Al-Nu’man ibn Bashir reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The lawful is clear and the unlawful is clear, and between the two of them are doubtful matters about which many people do not know. Thus, he who avoids doubtful matters clears himself in regard to his religion and his honor, and he who falls into doubtful matters will fall into the unlawful as the shepherd who pastures near a sanctuary, all but grazing therein. Verily, every king has a sanctum and the sanctum of Allah is His prohibitions. Verily, in the body is a piece of flesh which, if sound, the entire body is sound, and if corrupt, the entire body is corrupt. Truly, it is the heart.”

Only Allah knows best

Written by Mufti Yusuf Khan

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham