What is the prescribed manner (Sunnah) for wiping the head during Wudu?

Chapter on the Obligation of Purification

Al-Mughni

Book of Purification

Book 2 · Issue 4 · Bab 5

Open in Qurani

Primary text

The recommended manner is to wet both hands, place the tips of the forefingers together, place them on the front of the head, place the thumbs on the temples, then move the hands backward to the nape, and then return them to the starting point. This is narrated from Abdullah ibn Zayd, stating the Prophet, peace be upon him, moved his hands forward and backward, starting from the front to the nape, then returned them to the initial point. Al-Miqdam ibn Ma'dikarib narrated a similar description. If the person has long hair and fears it becoming messy upon returning the hands, he should not return them; Ahmad stated this due to the concern for disturbing the hair. For a woman, Ahmad demonstrated placing the hand on the middle of the head, drawing it forward to the front, then lifting it and placing it where he started, then drawing it backward to the nape.

Supporting text

If one has long hair and fears it becoming disheveled, one only wipes from the parting of the hair to the nape without returning the hands. If the required minimum area has been wiped after performing the prescribed motion, the ablution is valid.