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Keeping Wudu in Prayer.

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Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question: Assalamu alaykum

What is the ruling on trying to avoid releasing gas during salat?

Answer: Wa ‘alaykum as-salam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.

I pray you are well.

Praying whilst needs to break wind or relieve yourself is prohibitively disliked. It is superior to end the prayer, renew one’s wudu, and pray properly – unless, if doing so will mean the prayer time will end before one can pray. (Shurunbulali, Maraqi al Falah).

Remembrance of Allah

The purpose of the prayer is the remembrance of Allah. When Allah first spoke to the Prophet Musa, Allah bless him and give him peace, He said, “…And perfectly perform the prayer for my remembrance.” (Qur’an, 20:14)

The perfect performance (Iqama) is the outward manifestation of the body. One shows slavehood to Allah by adhering to the fard, wajib, sunna, and adab elements of the prayer. This all helps in inward aspect: focusing on Allah.

Trying to pray when one needs to answer the call of nature prevents one from remembering Allah, and it goes against the perfecting of the prayer. I hope that helps.

May Allah make all our prayers perfect – outwardly and inwardly. Amin.

Wassalam,
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat

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 to study and sit at the feet of some of the most erudite scholars of our time.

Over the following eighteen months he studied a traditional curriculum, studying with scholars such as Shaykh Adnan Darwish, Shaykh Abdurrahman Arjan, Shaykh Hussain Darwish and Shaykh Muhammad Darwish.

In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years, in Fiqh, Usul al-Fiqh, Theology, Hadith Methodology and Commentary, Shama’il, and Logic with teachers such as Dr Ashraf Muneeb, Dr Salah Abu’l-Hajj, Dr Hamza al-Bakri, Shaykh Ahmad Hasanat, Dr Mansur Abu Zina amongst others. He was also given two licences of mastery in the science of Qur’anic recital by Shakh Samir Jabr and Shaykh Yahya Qandil.

His true passion, however, arose in the presence of Shaykh Ali Hani, considered by many to be one of the foremost tafsir scholars of our time who provided him with the keys to the vast knowledge of the Quran. With Shaykh Ali, he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Qur’anic Sciences, Tafsir, Arabic Grammar, and Rhetoric.

When he finally left Jordan for the UK in 2014, Shaykh Ali gave him his distinct blessing and still recommends students in the UK to seek out Shaykh Abdul-Rahim for Quranic studies. Since his return he has trained as a therapist and has helped a number of people overcome emotional and psychosomatic issues. He is a keen promoter of emotional and mental health.

Uncertainty Ruining my Prayers

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Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat gives advice on how to deal with uncertainty about wudu and purity when one has chronic gas troubles.

Question:

Assalam alaykum wa rahmat Allah wa barakatuh.

I know that Prophet, blessings and peace be upon him, said that in case of doubt, wudu doesn’t break unless one hears the sounds or finds smell. My problem is that, most of the time, I have gas in my stomach and this is the default state. This gas is accompanied with sound, so most of the time I can’t figure out if this sound is from stomach only or my wudu actually broke.

The problem is due to the confusion caused by sound, which causes to me to do wudu multiple times for a prayer, and my entire day passes like that, trying to complete my prayers.

Sometimes it takes an hour to offer four rakas. I remain so occupied with this affair that I find very little time for my worldly duties and my life is all messed up due to this. Please tell me what should I do?

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmat Allah wa barakatuh.

I pray you are well.

Basing Rulings on Certainty

If you cannot distinguish when you have broken your wudu through sound then you should disregard it – unless you are certain that a particular sound is of wind exiting. Scholars mention the legal maxim ‘Certainty is not removed by doubt’ for situations like this (Zarqa, Sharh al-Qawa’id al-Fiqhiyya). Otherwise, just rely on smell, and other certainties.

It may also be of benefit to familiarise yourself with the rulings related to chronic excuses from our answers section.

Practice of the Religion Is Easy

The Messenger of Allah told us that “Practice of] the religion is ease [itself].” (Bukhari). Do not feel overwhelmed. This is a test, so you should turn to Allah through supplication, salat al haja, and other means and ask for this difficulty to be removed.

Taking the Means to a Solution

Please refer to this answer for possible solutions. Traditional Chinese Medicine is quite effective in dealing with you issues. I have known people to have gut issues due to stress and trauma. Perhaps looking into a therapy which deals with psychosomatic issues, like EFT, will help. There are all means; Allah is the one who makes things happen in reality. Ask Him for help.

May Allah facilitate the matter for you. Amin.

Abdul-Rahim

Checked and approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani.

Air Bubbles Invalidating Wudu

Flatulence Problem and Praying in Congregation

How Should I Deal With Chronic Gas Problems in Prayer?

Do Gas Exiting “Inside the Body” Break My Ritual Purity?

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Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalam aleykum,

I have excessive gas throughout my body such that I can hear it all the way from the top of my digestive tract with no feeling of gas exiting the body. If I hear such a sound can I assume my wudu is still valid?

Would it be wrong to repeat the prayer because of this?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,

Yes, feeling gas exiting “on the inside” is of no consequence, so your wudu would be unaffected and you would complete your worship as normal. As for repeating in the case of doubts, this should be avoided as it simply leads to further misgivings. The basis is that you do not pray an obligatory prayer twice.

Please also see: A Reader on Waswasa (Baseless Misgivings)

Consider taking the following free class at SeekersGuidance: STEP101

And Allah Most High alone knows best.

wassalam,

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Photo: irumge

I Always Think That I Have Lost My Wudu During Prayer. What Can I Do?

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Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question:As salam alaykum,

Praying for me has become a very difficult task. I have difficulty sustaining Wudu, as I have confusions regarding whether or not I passed wind. Most of the time, I have to stop mid-prayer and repeat the entire process. Also, I feel as if I have urine issues.

These occurrences really discourage me.


What can I do?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,

Ask Allah Most High to lift your hardship, and read The OCD Workbook by Bruce Hyman.

Feelings are of no legal consequence. Further, you are only responsible to the extent of your ability, which is in responding to situations which arise. As for “it may not have been valid,” this is simply neurotic misgivings and advertisements from Hell, from a devil who hopes you end up leaving Islam.

Pray, paying no attention to feelings and thoughts, and rely upon Allah Most High. Ibn Ata’illah al-Sikandari said, “From amongst the signs of relying upon actions is the lessening of hope when slips occur.” [al-Hikam]

Please see: A Reader on Waswasa (Baseless Misgivings) and: A Reader on Ritual Purity, Urine Leakage and Misgivings

And Allah Most High alone knows best.

wassalam,

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Photo: Jorge Quinteros

When Are Makeup Prayers Valid?

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Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: As salam alaykum,

(1) Is my Isha prayer valid if I make it up before the Fajr prayer after dawn?

(2) Should I repeat my prayer if I get the feeling to have let go a wind during prayer but think I didn’t and later on, after the prayer is complete, think I did?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I pray that this message finds you well, insha’Allah.

(1) Yes, the makeup (qada’) prayer is valid when prayed at any time, except after sunrise, before sunset, and when the sun is at its highest point in the sky. [For details, see: Prohibited times for Prayers and Makeup Prayers‏]

(2) Ignore misgivings, and act on the basis of certainty. [see: A Reader on Waswasa (Baseless Misgivings)]

Moreover, you should ensure that you are praying all of your prayers on time. There is rarely an excuse to miss the prayer. [see also: A Reader on Missed Prayers and: Does Neglecting the Prayer Entail Disbelief?

And Allah alone knows best.
wassalam,

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Struggling To Keep My Ritual Purity: Is There Any Leeway?

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Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam
Question: Salam Alaykum,
I have to make wudu for every prayer because I constantly break my wudu by passing wind. During Ramadan if I make one wudu for ‘isha prayer and taraweeh is that okay? Or should I renew wudu for each prayer and each set of taraweeh? Also for Friday prayer, should I wait till just before the sheikh starts praying after the lecture or can I make wudu before I leave home?
Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,
I pray that you are in the best of health and faith, insha’Allah.
Do not repeat your ablution (wudu) unless you hear or smell something.
The devil is quite good at giving believers a hard time. The religion is ease. If there is no ease, something has been misunderstood. The wudu is not supposed to be a difficult nor a time consuming act.
I’d suggest seeking out reliable scholars who can assist you further. If confused, ask. The cure to confusion is but to ask, said the Holy Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace).
Consider taking: Absolute Essentials of Islam: Beliefs & Worship (STEP)

Please see: A Reader on Waswasa (Baseless Misgivings)
And Allah alone gives success.
wassalam,
Tabraze Azam
Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani.

A Reader on Ritual Purity, Urine Leakage and Misgivings

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‘Verily this religion is ease, and none make this religion difficult except that it overwhelms them.’ [Bukhari]

Drops of urine during prayer: simply misgivings?
Key Principles Relating to Certainty, Doubt, and Baseless Misgivings (waswasa)
Checking Clothing for Drops of Urine
Praying in Clothes Affected by Urine Dripping Problem
Urine Leakage, Chronic Gas, and Misgivings
How Do I Pray When Liquid Constantly Leaks from My Private Parts?
Excused Liquid Filth and Ignoring Baseless Doubts About Purity
How to deal with drops of urine in the restroom?
What Should I Do About Left Over Drops Of Urine?
Waiting for Urine to Stop and Wudu
How to Avoid Waswasa of Dripping Urine After Using the Restroom
Drops of urine: when is it a chronic excuse?
When Do I Make Wudu When I Have a Chronic Excuse?
The Fiqh of Chronic Excuses and Ablution
How Can I Maintain Purity and Pray When I Have a Weak Bladder that Constantly Leaks?
How to Maintain Purity for Prayer With a Non-Excused Urine Dripping Problem

Consistent Flatulence and Tarawih Prayer

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Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: I suffer from consistent flatulence.  Every year during Ramadan I get discouraged from taraweeh, tahajjud, and reading the Qur’an due to the extreme flatulence I experience. I know I am suppose to disregard doubts but sometimes i might be like 70 to 99% sure i passed gas. keeping my wudu during taraweeh gets so difficult that i end up missing a lot of rakats due to consistent gas.  Please advise me.

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,

I pray that this finds you well, insha’Allah.

We have a legal principle: Certainty is not lifted by doubt. Hence anything short of certainty should be completely ignored. Period.

When it comes to misgivings (waswasa), Khadimi, the commentator of the Tariqa al-Muhammadiyya, said that even strong doubts are not acted upon. Being ‘almost certain’ is not the same as certainty. From now on, unless you hear or smell something, assume nothing happened.

If it is easier to keep your ablution (wudu) and pray sitting for tarawih prayers, then you should do so.

Don’t lose heart as this is exactly what the devil wants. Realize that Allah is calling you to his mercy, forgiveness and Paradise. Take from the blessed nights of Ramadan.

It is related from Abu Hurayra that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Every night, when a third of the night remains, Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, descends to the lowest heaven saying, ‘Is there anyone calling on Me that I may answer him? Is there anyone asking anything of Me that I may give it to him? Is there anyone asking forgiveness of Me that I may forgive him?'” [Bukhari]

And Allah alone gives success.

Wassalam,

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani

Urine Leakage, Chronic Gas, and Misgivings

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Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question:  For a while now I have had a problem with urine leakage after going to the bathroom. Usually, this only happens after urinating and the only position that it really leaks out in is while in Sujud.  If I use the washroom right beforehand, this problem makes praying in congregation difficult.

Also, at the same time, I have food sensitivities causing chronic gas and nasal drip that the doctor could not resolve.  I find it very difficult to keep wudu for very long. Sometimes I can keep wudu long enough to pray an entire pray, but what should I do about taraweeh? I don’t want to have to constantly stop and start again due to making wudu between rakats and worry if my prayer has been accepted or not.

 

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I pray that you are in the best of health and faith, insha’Allah.

Misgivings should be completely ignored. One does not break the prayer on a doubt about purity.

From now on, follow these guidelines:

[1] After using the toilet, wait a few moments to make sure all remaining drops exit,

[2] Squeeze and slightly twist the private part,

[3] Wipe the private part with toilet paper,

[4] Wash the private part with water three or so times, as mentioned in the Maraqi al-Falah, and

[5] Sprinkle water onto your clothes and private parts.

After doing this, one does not need to check anything. Any feelings or sensations should be ignored. Certainty is not lifted by subsequent doubts. Therefore, unless one is absolutely certain that something has come out –- which isn’t possible if one followed the steps above –- one ignores every single whisper the devil throws one’s way.

Then, one should pray focusing on the Divine, out of gratitude, love, and reverence.

See also: What Should I Do About Left Over Drops Of Urine?

Chronic Gas & Excuses

Mere suppositions of gas exiting would be of no legal consequence. Though if it is established that one has a chronic excuse (see here for details: The Fiqh of Chronic Excuses and Ablution), it would be relatively easy to pray tarawih.

However, it would remain necessary to take all reasonable means to stop that which makes one unable to retain one’s ablution (wudu); therefore, if it is possible to pray sitting such that the excuse does not occur, (i.e. the passing of wind in this case), one must pray sitting. [Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah; `Ala al-Din `Abidin, al-Hadiyya al-`Ala’iyya]

On the other hand, if one is not chronically excused, one tries one’s best – whilst completely ignoring any misgivings – and only renews one’s ablution if one smells or hears something. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “When Allah desires good for someone, He afflicts him.” [Bukhari]

A Note on Misgivings

Don’t lose yourself in misgivings – this is what the devil wants. Purifying oneself is a means to something greater. This religion is a mercy and if one follows the way of the Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace), as is called of us, one will be guided.

And Allah alone gives success.

Wassalam,

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani

Cleaning After the Exiting of Gas

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Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question: Scientifically, gas released is actually an aerosol (liquid droplets suspended in a gas). According to the Hanafi school, are these liquid droplets considered part of the gas and thus pure, or are they considered a liquid exiting from one’s rear private part and thus impure? Does one have to clean himself if gas is released?

Answer: Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I pray this finds you in the best of health and spirits.

Legally, that which exits is either gas or filth. If gas, wudu is invalidated, but no cleaning is required. If filth, both cleaning and wudu are called for.

[ref: Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah; Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]

And Allah alone gives success.

Faraz Rabbani