Is the inclusion of the elbows mandatory when washing the arms in Wudu?
Chapter on the Obligation of Purification
Al-Mughni
Book of Purification
Primary text
The inclusion of the elbows in the washing of the arms is obligatory. The majority of scholars, including 'Ata, Malik, Al-Shafi'i, Ishaq, and the People of Opinion, hold this view, basing it on the statement of Allah: "...and your arms up to the elbows" (Quran 5:6). The evidence for inclusion is the narration from Jabir that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to run water over his elbows during ablution. This action serves to clarify the commanded washing, as the particle 'ila' (up to) in the verse can signify 'with' (ma'a), as demonstrated in other Quranic usages like "...and He will increase you in strength besides your strength" (Quran 11:52).
Supporting text
Some followers of Malik and Ibn Dawud, as well as Zufar, hold that the elbows are not included. They argue that the word 'ila' strictly denotes the termination point, meaning the terminus itself is not included, similar to the verse regarding fasting until nightfall (Quran 2:187). This argument is refuted by establishing that 'ila' can signify inclusion when the boundary is of the same kind as the bounded object, as in the expression concerning selling a garment from one end to the other.