My Wudu Broke During the Circumambulation. Is My Umra Valid?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalam alaykum

I was performing umrah. During tawaf I had to pass gas. I was controlling it and I thought I was fine. But after removing Ihram I think I soiled the cloth. Is my umra valid?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,

The basis is that ritual purity is necessary (wajib) for the circumambulation (tawaf). As such, doing otherwise would necessitate slaughtering an animal (dam).

Misgivings, however, are of no legal consequence. If you aren’t sure whether or not something exited, assume soundness and validity. But if obviously otherwise, you need to perform the slaughter [which must occur within the sacred precinct.]

Note that it is also generally disliked to perform the circumambulation whilst needing to relieve yourself because it distracts your attention away from the worship you are engaged in.

[Sindi, Lubab al-Manasik (103/112)]

Please also see: Wudu, Waswasa, and Maintaining Purity During Tawaf and: A Reader on Waswasa (Baseless Misgivings)

And Allah Most High alone knows best.

wassalam,

[Ustadh] Tabraze Azam

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Tabraze Azam holds a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Leicester, where he also served as the President of the Islamic Society. He memorised the entire Qur’an in his hometown of Ipswich at the tender age of sixteen, and has since studied the Islamic Sciences in traditional settings in the UK, Jordan and Turkey. He is currently pursuing advanced studies in Jordan, where he is presently based with his family.