Does Eating Camel or Goat Meat Break Wudu? Find Out Here!

Does eating camel or goat meat break wudu? We do not have to do wudu after eating goat meat. However, we must do wudu after eating camel meat. There is a specific hadith that explains this clearly. Unfortunately, some Muslims do not understand this well. That's why I wrote this article. So, make sure you read it until the end.

Before delving into whether eating camel or goat meat break wudu, let's review a relevant hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that specifically addresses this matter.

Hadith About Goat Meat and Camel Meat

The hadith concerning goat meat and camel meat is as follows:

عَنْ جَابِرٍ بْنِ سَمْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ أَنَّ رَجُلًا سَأَلَ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : أَتَوَضَّأُ مِنْ لُحُوْمِ الْغَنَمِ ؟ قَالَ : إِنْ شِئْتَ . قَالَ : أَتَوَضَّأُ مِنْ لُحُوْمِ الْإِبِلِ ؟ قَالَ : نَعَمْ . أَخْرَجَهُ مُسْلِمٌ

From Jabir bin Samurah (radhiallahu anhu), it is reported that someone asked the Prophet (peace be upon him), "Do I have to do wudu after eating goat meat?" He said, "If you wish." The person then asked, "Do I have to do wudu after eating camel meat?" The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied, "Yes." This hadith was narrated by Muslim.

Does Eating Camel or Goat Meat Break Wudu?

As we observe from the hadith above, we can conclude that eating goat meat does not break wudu. However, it is required after eating camel meat. This distinction is because camel meat has a strong odor that can affect one’s concentration during prayer. Therefore, Islam instructs that one should perform wudu after consuming camel meat.

There are differing opinions among Islamic scholars on this issue:

Eating goat meat does not break wudu.
Ahmad holds that eating camel meat does break wudu.
The majority of scholars argue that eating camel meat does not break wudu. They interpret the term "wudu" to mean gargling, implying that what is required is to remove the meat's residue from the mouth.

The person who narrated the hadith above is Jabir bin Samurah bin Janadah. He settled in Kufa and was one of the notable companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He narrated 146 hadiths and passed away in 73 Hijri.

Thus, we can also conclude that it is encouraged to clean our mouths after eating or drinking something that causes bad breath. In modern times, brushing our teeth can achieve a more thorough result. I use the term "recommended" because I prefer to be cautious in giving legal rulings.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the question of whether we need to perform wudu after eating goat or camel meat is clarified by the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). According to the hadith narrated by Jabir bin Samurah, performing wudu is not obligatory after eating goat meat, but it is required after consuming camel meat. This is because camel meat has a strong odor that can distract from prayer, which is why wudu is recommended in this case.

Islamic scholars have different views on this matter: some argue that eating camel meat does not invalidate wudu, while others, including Ahmad, maintain that it does. The majority interpret "wudu" as referring to gargling to remove residual meat. It is also advisable to clean the mouth thoroughly after eating, and modern practices like brushing teeth can be a practical way to ensure freshness.

I hope this explanation is helpful. See you in the next article!