Question
Reference number: 215311 | Prayers | March 26, 2019
If one doubts whether his Wudu’ – ablution- is valid or not, will their prayer be valid?
Answer
Praise Be to Allah and Peace Be Upon His Messenger.
Whoever is certain that his ablution is invalid, but he doubts whether he has performed another ablution or not, he is considered impure and must perform a new ablution. There is a jurisprudence rule which says: certainty is not removed by doubt. Ibn Qudama says in his book Al-Mughni: whoever is certain that his ablution is valid, but he doubts whether it has become invalid, or whoever is certain that his ablution is invalid, but he doubts whether he has performed another ablution, they must build on what is certain because it is the last thing that they remember.
Therefore, if the question is about anyone who is certain that his ablution is invalid, but they doubt whether they have performed another one, and then they pray, their prayer is not acceptable. They must reperform it after performing a new ablution. The prophet says: “Allah will not accept any prayer without purification.”
Imam An-Nawawi says in his book Al-Majmoo’: the nation has agreed upon this, whoever prays while their ablution is invalid whether they did that intentionally or unintentionally, but they are able to perform another one, their prayer is invalid and must be made up.