Waiting for Urine to Stop and Wudu

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam
Question: I have a condition where urine drops come out when I go to the toilet. It stops after 15 minutes or sometimes longer. I was told to just make a fresh wuhdu for every prayer, because i have a genuine medical problem. After going through some related questions I’ve found out i should wait until it ceases then do wudhu. However if im working its just not practical to be spending that long because i will be spending a lot of time for every prayer. If I wake up for fajr and only have 30 minutes to pray my normal procedure of doing wudhu for each prayer would allow me to pray on time but if i have to wait , i will miss my prayer. Situations like this make me lose hope and make me feel depressed because its not easy unless you are home all day. Do I have to wait or do I just do what makes things easier and make a wudhu for each prayer?
Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,
I pray that you are in the best of health and faith, insha’Allah.
It is obligatory to wait until the drops of urine have ceased before performing the ablution (wudu). It is neither permitted nor valid to perform the ablution (wudu) before you are reasonably sure that the urine drops have stopped. [`Ala al-Din `Abidin, al-Hadiyya al-`Ala’iyya; Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah]
[1] Performing istinja’ (cleaning oneself) from filth that exits one’s private parts is a confirmed sunna.
[2] Istinja’ is not a condition for the validity of the ablution (wudu).
[3] If one does not need to go to the toilet, one should simply perform the ablution (wudu) and pray.
[4] If one genuinely fears that one will miss their prayer by relieving oneself, one should just perform the ablution (wudu) and pray.
[5] A solution for work may be to use the bathroom and then return a little later to perform the ablution (wudu). Walking usually ensures the remaining drops exit.
Also, use the following guidelines when performing istinja’:
[i] After using the toilet, wait a few moments to make sure all remaining drops exit,
[ii] Squeeze and slightly twist the private part,
[iii] Wipe the private part with toilet paper,
[iv] Wash the private part with water three or so times, and
[v] Sprinkle water onto your clothes and private parts.
After this, unless you are certain that drops have exited, you should ignore any feelings and suppositions you may have.
Realize that this is a test from Allah and “truly with hardship comes ease” [94:6]. Remember that “Allah does not burden souls with more than they can manage” [2:286]. Have conviction in the mercy of Allah. Rejoice in His blessings upon you. Take the means to learn the sunna of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) in all matters, apply them, and express gratitude to Allah for having being guided.
Please also see: What Should I Do About Left Over Drops Of Urine? and
A Reader on Waswasa (Baseless Misgivings)
And Allah alone gives success.
Wassalam,
Tabraze Azam
Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani