Urine Leakage, Chronic Gas, and Misgivings

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question:  For a while now I have had a problem with urine leakage after going to the bathroom. Usually, this only happens after urinating and the only position that it really leaks out in is while in Sujud.  If I use the washroom right beforehand, this problem makes praying in congregation difficult.

Also, at the same time, I have food sensitivities causing chronic gas and nasal drip that the doctor could not resolve.  I find it very difficult to keep wudu for very long. Sometimes I can keep wudu long enough to pray an entire pray, but what should I do about taraweeh? I don’t want to have to constantly stop and start again due to making wudu between rakats and worry if my prayer has been accepted or not.

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

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

Misgivings should be completely ignored. One does not break the prayer on a doubt about purity.

From now on, follow these guidelines:

[1] After using the toilet, wait a few moments to make sure all remaining drops exit,

[2] Squeeze and slightly twist the private part,

[3] Wipe the private part with toilet paper,

[4] Wash the private part with water three or so times, as mentioned in the Maraqi al-Falah, and

[5] Sprinkle water onto your clothes and private parts.

After doing this, one does not need to check anything. Any feelings or sensations should be ignored. Certainty is not lifted by subsequent doubts. Therefore, unless one is absolutely certain that something has come out –- which isn’t possible if one followed the steps above –- one ignores every single whisper the devil throws one’s way.

Then, one should pray focusing on the Divine, out of gratitude, love, and reverence.

See also: What Should I Do About Left Over Drops Of Urine?

Chronic Gas & Excuses

Mere suppositions of gas exiting would be of no legal consequence. Though if it is established that one has a chronic excuse (see here for details: The Fiqh of Chronic Excuses and Ablution), it would be relatively easy to pray tarawih.

However, it would remain necessary to take all reasonable means to stop that which makes one unable to retain one’s ablution (wudu); therefore, if it is possible to pray sitting such that the excuse does not occur, (i.e. the passing of wind in this case), one must pray sitting. [Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah; `Ala al-Din `Abidin, al-Hadiyya al-`Ala’iyya]

On the other hand, if one is not chronically excused, one tries one’s best – whilst completely ignoring any misgivings – and only renews one’s ablution if one smells or hears something. Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “When Allah desires good for someone, He afflicts him.” [Bukhari]

A Note on Misgivings

Don’t lose yourself in misgivings – this is what the devil wants. Purifying oneself is a means to something greater. This religion is a mercy and if one follows the way of the Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace), as is called of us, one will be guided.

And Allah alone gives success.

Wassalam,

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani