Urinary incontinence does not affect the validity of prayers

13-2-2012 | IslamWeb

Question:

Is the prayer of someone who suffers from urinary incontinence valid?

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Answer:

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 is His slave and Messenger.

 

If a person who suffers from urinary incontinence performs ablution after the time of the prayer is due and performs the due prayer, his prayer is valid, as long as nothing else invalidates it. Urinary incontinence does not affect the validity of prayer.

The majority of scholars stated that someone with urinary incontinence must perform ablution for each prayer when it is due; since the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, told the woman who suffered from vaginal bleeding outside the menstrual period: “Perform ablution for each prayer and pray.” [Abu- Daawood and At-Tirmithi]

Imaam Maalik recommended that the person who suffers from urinary incontinence should perform ablution for each prayer unless cold would harm him. He said, “If it harms him, then I hope that there is no blame on him for not performing ablution for each prayer.” Yet, the opinion of the majority of scholars is the preponderant one due to the previously mentioned narration.

Prayer, dear brother, is the slogan of Muslims, and Allaah The Exalted enjoined us to hold on to performing prayers at all times: when one is safe or threatened, when he is healthy or sick, and when he is traveling or not. Any Muslim, who is competent for religious assignment, is obliged to perform the daily prayers as long as he is sane.

Allaah Knows best.