The Ruling on Praying While Urged by the Need to Relieve Oneself

Question : Now, if someone says: The time has run out, and he is currently struggling with one of the two needs (urination or defecation). If he relieves himself and performs wudu, the time will have passed. If he prays before the time passes, he will be praying while struggling with the need. So, does he pray while struggling with the need, or does he relieve himself and pray, even if it is after the time?

Answer : Now, we say first: If the prayer is combined with the one following it, let him relieve himself and perform wudu, because combining is permissible in this case. If it is not combined with the one following it, as if it were the Fajr prayer, or the 'Asr prayer, or the 'Isha' prayer, the scholars have two opinions on this issue. The first opinion is that he prays even while struggling with the need, in order to preserve the time. The second opinion is that he relieves himself and prays, even if the time has passed. This second opinion is closer to the principles of the Shari'ah.
Because this is undoubtedly a form of ease; this is a form of ease. And a person who is struggling with the need fears for himself. However, the majority of the scholars are on the first opinion, saying that he prays even while struggling. This applies to the mild struggle. As for the severe struggle where he does not know what he is saying and is on the verge of bursting from the intensity of the retention, there is no doubt that he relieves himself and then prays. It should not be a matter of disagreement on this point.