Do Air Bubbles Invalidate Wudu?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat 

Question

I know air bubbles from the front for women do not break wudu because its not from an impure site, but what about the ones felt near the back?

To avoid this I try to use the bathroom and try to squeeze out any air bubbles, if that makes sense, before wudu. But I still feel them during prayer and have to contract my muscles and make sure nothing escapes.

Sitting down and reading the Qur’an has become so hard for me because I always feel air bubbles in the behind area and feel my wudu is broken and I cannot read anymore.

I have lessened my reading because of this, and I don’t know what to do or what is the ruling here. Often these air bubbles are between the cheeks not even coming out of anywhere. So really stressed because of this.

Answer

I pray you are well.

Certainty Is Not Removed by Doubts

This is a principle in fiqh. Once you perform wudu, the only thing that would remove you from this state is the certainty of breaking it. Feeling bubbles of air does not break wudu. Only the exiting of air would.

Seeing as this is a recurring issue for you, you should only think that your wudu is broken if you are absolutely certain something has come out. This is known by hearing or smelling something, or when there has undoubtedly been a passage of wind. [Zarqa, Sharh al-Qawa‘id al-Fiqhiyya]

Controlling Wind Issues

Generally, people have wind issues due to an imbalance in gut bacteria. You should take the steps to replenish the good gut bacteria in order to make purity and purification easier for you. A good place to start is Dr. David Perlmutter’s book, Brain Maker. He deals extensively with this issue.

As a short-term fix, activated charcoal, which can be purchased in the form of capsules, is excellent at absorbing excess air in the gut and can help with your issues.

May Allah grant you the best of both worlds

[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani 

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History he moved to Damascus in 2007 where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.