Short answer
In the Hanafi school, vomiting a mouthful breaks wudu. A mouthful means an amount you could not keep in your mouth without effort. Less than that does not break it, and phlegm never does. The Shafi'i and Maliki schools say vomit does not break wudu at all.
Vomit of food, water or bile that fills the mouth breaks wudu. Less than a mouthful does not. Phlegm, whether from the chest or the head, does not break wudu in any amount.
Other madhhabs
- Shafi'i
- Vomit does not break wudu, though the vomit itself is impure and must be washed off.
- Maliki
- Vomit does not break wudu.
- Hanbali
- A large amount of vomit breaks wudu; a little does not.
Explanation
The Hanafi school counts impure matter that leaves the body as a breaker of wudu (ablution), and vomit from the stomach is impure. A Companion reported that the Prophet ﷺ vomited and then made wudu. Hanafi scholars set the limit at a mouthful, so that small amounts do not burden people.
What counts as a mouthful? It is the amount you could not hold in your closed mouth without strain. Some practical points:
- Small amounts several times: if they come from the same bout of nausea, they are added together. If together they make a mouthful, wudu is broken.
- Acid reflux or a little food coming up: does not break wudu if it is less than a mouthful. Rinse your mouth before prayer.
- Phlegm: never breaks wudu, even if it is a lot.
- Vomiting blood: flowing blood breaks wudu even if it is less than a mouthful.
- Babies spitting up milk: the baby's vomit on your clothes is impure if it is a mouthful; see impurity on clothes.
Burping is not vomiting and does not break wudu. If you vomit while fasting, that is a separate question for the fasting section.
The evidence
Jami' at-Tirmidhi 87
Graded sahih... قاء فافطر فتوضا ...
"The Messenger of Allah vomited, broke his fast, and made wudu."
Shows the Prophet's practice of making wudu after vomiting, which the Hanafi and Hanbali schools rely on.
Where the ruling is recorded
- al-Hidaya, Kitab al-Taharat, chapter on what breaks wudu. Vomit that fills the mouth breaks wudu; phlegm does not.
- Nur al-Idah with Maraqi al-Falah, Chapter on what breaks wudu. Adds up repeated small vomiting from one bout of nausea.
- al-Mughni (Ibn Qudama), Kitab al-Taharah, chapter on what breaks wudu. The Hanbali view on large amounts of vomit.
This answer is pending review by the scholars on our team. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.