Is wiping the ears required during ablution?
Chapter on the Obligation of Purification
Al-Mughni
Book of Purification
Primary text
The ears are considered part of the head, and the ruling within the established school dictates that wiping them is obligatory along with wiping the head. The Prophet, peace be upon him, wiped his ears along with his head. Narrations confirm this: one states that the Prophet wiped what faced him and what faced away, his temples, and his ears once. Another narration specifies that the Prophet wiped the exterior and interior of his ears. It is recommended to insert the index fingers into the openings of the ears (samakhi udhunayhima) and wipe the exterior of the ears with the thumbs. Wiping what is covered by the cartilage is not obligatory, analogous to not needing to wipe hair covering the head.
Supporting text
Some rulings suggest that leaving the wiping of the ears, whether intentionally or forgetfully, is sufficient because the ears are secondary to the head and are not considered equivalent to the rest of the head parts. This view is held by some transmitting narrations from Abu Abdillah (Ahmad ibn Hanbal).