Rulings related to incontinence and Prayer
Fatwa No: 469576

Question

If incontinent person prays (while being incontinent), then sometime after prayer, incontinence stops, if there is still time for current prayer, does he have to do it again?

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.

If the cessation of the incontinence after the prayer was regular and habitually happens at that time, the ablution and prayer are not valid because what is obligatory on that person is to wait for the time of its cessation as long as it is identified so he prays in a valid state of ritual purity.

We have explained in previous Fatwas that the religious rulings that apply to a person who suffers from incontinence (continuous uncontrolled passing of wind, urine, etc.) apply to a woman who is experiencing Istihaadhah (vaginal bleeding outside menstruation) and those in similar state as per the Sharee‘ah. If such person knew that the discharge of the ritual impurity will cease before the time of the prayer expires, it is obligatory on him to wait for that time.

Asna Al-Matalib reads: “If the woman’s bleeding usually ceases for a period of time that is enough to perform ablution and prayer and she is certain that she will be able to do so before the prayer’s time ends, it is obligatory on her to wait for the cessation of the bleeding and hasten to perform the ablution and prayer whenever the bleeding ceases.

If the cessation of the incontinence is not regular, he performs the prayer and it ceases afterward, his prayer is valid and he does not have to repeat it even if there is enough time left for the ritual purification and performance of prayer before its time expires.

Allah knows best.

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