Uncertainty Ruining my Prayers

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat gives advice on how to deal with uncertainty about wudu and purity when one has chronic gas troubles.

Question:

Assalam alaykum wa rahmat Allah wa barakatuh.

I know that Prophet, blessings and peace be upon him, said that in case of doubt, wudu doesn’t break unless one hears the sounds or finds smell. My problem is that, most of the time, I have gas in my stomach and this is the default state. This gas is accompanied with sound, so most of the time I can’t figure out if this sound is from stomach only or my wudu actually broke.

The problem is due to the confusion caused by sound, which causes to me to do wudu multiple times for a prayer, and my entire day passes like that, trying to complete my prayers.

Sometimes it takes an hour to offer four rakas. I remain so occupied with this affair that I find very little time for my worldly duties and my life is all messed up due to this. Please tell me what should I do?

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmat Allah wa barakatuh.

I pray you are well.

Basing Rulings on Certainty

If you cannot distinguish when you have broken your wudu through sound then you should disregard it – unless you are certain that a particular sound is of wind exiting. Scholars mention the legal maxim ‘Certainty is not removed by doubt’ for situations like this (Zarqa, Sharh al-Qawa’id al-Fiqhiyya). Otherwise, just rely on smell, and other certainties.

It may also be of benefit to familiarise yourself with the rulings related to chronic excuses from our answers section.

Practice of the Religion Is Easy

The Messenger of Allah told us that “Practice of] the religion is ease [itself].” (Bukhari). Do not feel overwhelmed. This is a test, so you should turn to Allah through supplication, salat al haja, and other means and ask for this difficulty to be removed.

Taking the Means to a Solution

Please refer to this answer for possible solutions. Traditional Chinese Medicine is quite effective in dealing with you issues. I have known people to have gut issues due to stress and trauma. Perhaps looking into a therapy which deals with psychosomatic issues, like EFT, will help. There are all means; Allah is the one who makes things happen in reality. Ask Him for help.

May Allah facilitate the matter for you. Amin.

Abdul-Rahim

Checked and approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani.