Does eating meat nullify the Wudhoo’ (ablution)?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

According to the majority of scholars, eating any kind of meat other than that of camels does not nullify Wudhoo’, whether it is uncooked, cooked or grilled, since there is no evidence signifying that. Nevertheless, cooked and grilled meat is included in the general indication of the Hadeeth, which reads: "Make Wudhoo’ (after eating) what is touched by fire." [Muslim]

However, this Hadeeth is not applicable according to the scholars, either because it is abrogated by the authentic Hadeeth narrated on the authority of Jaabir in which he said, "The final practice of the Messenger was not making Wudhoo’ after eating anything touched by fire", or because Wudhoo’, here, means washing the face as well as the two hands, or, as stated by An-Nawawi that it was for removing fat and grease.

That is why the scholars considered rinsing one's mouth with water as recommended for one who ate fatty food after Wudhoo’ and wanted to pray.

The Hanbali scholars in particular were of the opinion that eating camel meat nullifies Wudhoo’. As evidence, they quoted a Hadeeth in which the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, was asked about the status of Wudhoo’ after eating the flesh of camels and sheep, where he ordered Wudhoo’ for eating the flesh of camels. [Ahmad, Abu Daawood and Ibn Maajah]

A Muslim must accept this ruling, even if he does not understand the rationale behind it. While some scholars tried to find such a rationale, others considered it an act of worship even if the rationale behind it is not clear, as is known in the Hanbali School of Fiqh.

Consequently, eating any kind of meat does not nullify Wudhoo’ and one may pray with the Wudhoo’ he made before eating meat, taking the opinion of the Hanbali School of Fiqh, which we mentioned concerning the camel's flesh, into consideration.

Allaah Knows best.