Does touching the anal ring (halqat al-dubar) nullify Wudu?
Chapter on What Nullifies Purification
Al-Mughni
Book of Purification
Primary text
There are two narrations from Ahmad on touching the anal ring. The stronger position, held by 'Ata', Al-Zuhri, and Al-Shafi'i, is that it nullifies Wudu, based on the general wording of the Hadith, "Whoever touches his private part should perform Wudu," and because it is one of the two private parts (furuj), resembling the male organ in this context.
Supporting text
The other narration, attributed as the established practice and dominant view in Malik's school, states that touching the anal ring does not nullify Wudu because the famous Hadith specifies the male organ, and the anus is not typically intended for touching, nor does it lead to discharge.