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Fatwa CenterWiping on a Bandage: Conditions and Restrictions
Question
Assalam aleykum, If I have some issues with a sprained ankle/finger, can I use tape and do wudoo over it? even though it the tape is removable I would have to remove it for every salah and it takes time. Jazakumullahukhayran
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad 
is His Slave and Messenger.
The basic ruling is that washing the area where you will place the bandage is obligatory, as long as it is within the boundaries of the obligatory washing of body parts. The fact that removing it takes time, in itself, is not an excuse to allow wiping on it or not washing what is beneath it. Wiping on it is permissible, considering it a bandage, if removing it would result in delayed recovery or harm. In such a case, wiping is allowed due to necessity.
Delay in recovery is one of the excuses that permit wiping on a bandage, as the scholars have mentioned. In the Al-Kharashi's Commentary on the Summary of Khalil al-Maliki's Work, regarding wiping on an injured body part or a bandage when direct wiping is not feasible, it is stated: “If they fear using it (water) will cause illness, exacerbate the condition, or delay recovery, then they are allowed to wipe directly on the affected area. If they fear harm from the moisture reaching it during wiping, as has been mentioned, they can put a bandage on it and then wipe over it, ensuring the moisture is absorbed by the bandage. Otherwise, it is not permissible.”
Allah knows best.
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