What Should I Do If I Lost My Wudu While Leading Others In Prayer and I Neglected to Inform Them?

Answered by Ustadh Faraz A. Khan

Question:  I remember leading a friday jumuah prayer a few years ago. That morning I had emitted semen, and I took a shower and made ghusl, then went immediately to the Musalah. During the prayer I felt the emission of prostatic fluid (or whatever fluid it is that comes a while after ejaculation) I checked after the prayer and indeed it was that, it was released in the middle of prayer, first or second raka’ah.

My prayer was obviously invalid, if then it was that must mean that the prayer of those behind me was as well, by the time I realized it everyone had left, and I was embarrassed about the situation.

My question is what prayer should I make up myself? 2 raka’ats like Jumuah or 4 like Thuhur prayer? with what intention?

And secondly since those behind me must have had an invalid prayer, I don’t remember who was there, so I can’t tell them, Will I be accountable for their prayers? What can I do about it?

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,

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

Your prayer was invalidated by the emission, as was the prayer of the followers since you were leading as imam. Practically, however, there is nothing really you can do about their prayer. InshaAllah, in front of Allah, they will be fine as they did not know.

You should do the following:

(a) Make up the prayer as 4 rakats of zuhr, with the intention of a makeup (qada’) for that day.

(b) Make tawba and seek forgiveness from Allah for what happened. The default ruling is that it was obligatory on you to tell the congregation of what happened.

Our Beloved Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) stated: “Allah is more deserving of your feeling embarrassed than people.” [Mustadrak Hakim; Sunan Bayhaqi]

However, scholars do mention that when there is fear of confusion or fitna, one doesn’t need to inform the followers in such situations. Given the prevalence of ignorance, this is the position that is generally followed in our times.

(c) Perhaps donate some charity as an expression of your turning to Allah.

Remember that Allah is All-merciful; He takes people to account only based on their capacities. InshaAllah after taking the above steps, the matter will be resolved and left to the mercy of the Ever-generous, Most High.

And Allah alone gives success.

wassalam

Faraz A. Khan

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani