if one washes up to the knees would the issue of modesty then not come into effect as one should not expose as much as necessary in an ablution area in the masjid or an ablution area used by the public (like exposing your shins, calves, etc)?
Abid, I'm not criticising the Hadith but what have hanafi scholars said about this ruling, I seem to remember a saying "hadith are pitfall except for the ulema"
Syedna Abu bakr was once seen washing his hands and feet further than the limits prescribed i.e. beyond the elbows and above his ankles. When questioned, he responded as follows (or something similar): Shall I not increase the light (noor) that is promised on the day of resurrection?
^ yes that's true. that comes under perfection in wudu and going the extra mile to ensure that your wudu is solid. it is praised in sahih hadith also.
seems correct about overdoing it, as in up-til the knees, as it is a wastage of water. however i've heard ulema say that washing a little bit above the elbows and ankles was praiseworthy as it is safer that way and ensures that the sharayi requirement is met. wallahu alam
I passed over this: ...exceeding the numbers (in place of three) and exceeding the organ coverage e.g. washing the feet up to the knees, washing the arms up to the armpits, both these are prohibited. Reference: Mira'at al-Manajih, vol. 1
