Q: Dear Imam,

This question is just a side thought, but when women make wudu, do we have to clean our neck? Some say we do, and some say we don’t, I would like to know so I can do my wudu right.

Jazzakulah hair
Time: Monday April 11, 2011 at 6:51 pm

A: May Allah (SWT) bless you for your question. I appreciate questions in which people are attempting to better that which they are already doing. May Allah (SWT) make us all like you regarding this good quality you seem to possess. Ameen.

• There is a difference between the neck and nape.  I think you meant nape and not neck. As far as neck is concerned, one does not wash nor wipe the neck as part of the ablution. It would be washed for a fard ghusal. Washing or wiping the neck as part of whudhu would be makrooh (disliked action.)
• As far as the nape is concerned, there is difference of opinion as to whether the nape is part of the head or that which constitutes part of the face. Head is defined as that portion where hair starts to grow and remains inclusive of the forehead area going all the way to the nape and is also inclusive of the bony part of the temple region.
• In light of the jurists,  wiping of the nape would fall as part of the established behavior which remains part of whudhu and sunnah and should be adhered for optimal virtue.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.