Reciting ‘Bismillah’ or ‘Bismillahi wal hamdulillah’ when commencing wudu

Question

Reciting ‘Bismillah’ before commencing wudu will suffice. Some books mention ‘Bismillahi wal hamdulillah’. Which one is preferred?

Answer

This is not a contradiction.

Although reciting Bismillah will suffice, you should endeavour to recite ‘Bismillahi wal hamdulillah’. By reciting ‘Bismillahi wal hamdulillah’ a person will continue receiving rewards until he breaks the wudu.

Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

O Abu Hurayrah! When you [intend to] make wudu, then say ‘Bismillahi wal hamdulillah’, for the guarding angels will continue writing rewards until you break that wudu.

See here.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar