Fatwa ID: 06531

Answered by: Alimah Zakiratul Hoque

Question:

There are two types of sunscreen mineral and chemical, chemical is known to be absorbed in the skin whilst mineral sits on the skin

However even though mineral sits on the skin does that mean that it makes a barrier therefore a person’s wudhu would not be accepted except if the sunscreen was removed or is it just a layer which still allows water to reach the skin

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

Answer:

Allah says in the Qur’an (5:6):

“O believers! When you rise up for prayer, wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, wipe your heads, and wash your feet to the ankles […]”

Water should reach the skin of the abovementioned areas during Wudhu.

Many sunscreens contain ingredients that are water-resistant. However, mineral sunscreens tend to be less water-resistant than chemical sunscreens. You should check with the sunscreen manufacturer whether their product contains water-resistant ingredients that prevent water from reaching the skin. They would be better able to provide you with a specific answer in that regard.

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ فَٱغْسِلُوا۟ وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى ٱلْمَرَافِقِ وَٱمْسَحُوا۟ بِرُءُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى ٱلْكَعْبَيْنِ وَإِن كُنتُمْ جُنُبًا فَٱطَّهَّرُوا۟ وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرْضَىٰٓ أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ أَوْ جَآءَ أَحَدٌۭ مِّنكُم مِّنَ ٱلْغَآئِطِ أَوْ لَـٰمَسْتُمُ ٱلنِّسَآءَ فَلَمْ تَجِدُوا۟ مَآءً فَتَيَمَّمُوا۟ صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا فَٱمْسَحُوا۟ بِوُجُوهِكُمْ وَأَيْدِيكُم مِّنْهُ مَا يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ لِيَجْعَلَ عَلَيْكُم مِّنْ حَرَجٍ وَلَـٰكِن يُرِيدُ لِيُطَهِّرَكُمْ وَلِيُتِمَّ نِعْمَتَهُۥ عَلَيْكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

Only Allah knows best.

Written by Alimah Zakiratul Hoque

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham