Does Exiting Fluid From an Ear Infection Break Wudu?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: I have ear infection, and I constantly have some fluid in the ear; sometimes the fluid comes out of the inner ear, and sometimes it stays in the ear. Does this fluid break the wudu? Is this fluid impure? Can I stop the ear with some cotton, so I can prevent the fluid from coming out and then pray?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh

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

Yes, if fluid from an ear infection flows out of your ear it would invalidate your ablution (wudu). [Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah]

The exiting and flow of such impure substances to a place that requires cleaning (i.e. beyond the point of exit) invalidates wudu.

There would be nothing wrong with putting cotton wool in your ear before performing wudu and praying in order to prevent any fluid from exiting.

See: The Fiqh of Chronic Excuses and Ablution

And Allah alone gives success.

Wassalam

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani