If something unexpected happens to a person while he is praying, such as urination or something else, does he break the prayer with the imam, or does he separate and complete the prayer with the evidence?
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The questioner : And this is another questioner who says: Peace be upon you, and Allah's mercy and blessings.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace and Allah's mercy and blessings.
The questioner : The questioner says: If something unexpected happens to a person while he is praying, such as urination or something else, does he break the prayer, or does he separate and complete the prayer, mentioning the evidence? Please inform us, may Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : This questioner says: If a compelling excuse occurs for the ma'mum (one praying behind the imam) that necessitates breaking the prayer, does he break the prayer, or does he separate from the imam and complete it briefly?
Answer: He has the choice between the two: if he wishes, he breaks the prayer, and if he wishes, he separates from the imam and completes it briefly.
And the evidence for this is the story of the man who separated and prayed alone when Mu'adh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) led his people in prayer and prolonged the recitation with them. So a man from the people left and prayed alone. When Mu'adh ibn Jabal finished the prayer, he said: "This man has become a hypocrite; he lagged behind the congregation of the Muslims." So the man complained to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), but the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) treated the complaint as if it were issued by the man against Mu'adh. He called Mu'adh and said to him:.
So this hadith is evidence that it is permissible for the ma'mum, if he has an excuse, to separate from his imam. And the scholars said that he should complete it briefly, and that he may break it. So which is more preferable?
The student: ...
The Shaykh : The more preferable is to complete it briefly if he is able. If he is not able, let him break it, and there is no blame on him.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace and Allah's mercy and blessings.
The questioner : The questioner says: If something unexpected happens to a person while he is praying, such as urination or something else, does he break the prayer, or does he separate and complete the prayer, mentioning the evidence? Please inform us, may Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : This questioner says: If a compelling excuse occurs for the ma'mum (one praying behind the imam) that necessitates breaking the prayer, does he break the prayer, or does he separate from the imam and complete it briefly?
Answer: He has the choice between the two: if he wishes, he breaks the prayer, and if he wishes, he separates from the imam and completes it briefly.
And the evidence for this is the story of the man who separated and prayed alone when Mu'adh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) led his people in prayer and prolonged the recitation with them. So a man from the people left and prayed alone. When Mu'adh ibn Jabal finished the prayer, he said: "This man has become a hypocrite; he lagged behind the congregation of the Muslims." So the man complained to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), but the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) treated the complaint as if it were issued by the man against Mu'adh. He called Mu'adh and said to him:
Are you a deceiver, O Mu'adh? If one of you leads the people, let him shorten the prayer.
أفتان أنت يا معاذ ؟! إذا أمّ أحدكم الناس فليخففSo this hadith is evidence that it is permissible for the ma'mum, if he has an excuse, to separate from his imam. And the scholars said that he should complete it briefly, and that he may break it. So which is more preferable?
The student: ...
The Shaykh : The more preferable is to complete it briefly if he is able. If he is not able, let him break it, and there is no blame on him.