Whoever introduces an innovation in prayer, let him break it off

Q: A caller from Riyadh sent a message saying: One of them entered the prayer and was in the first row, then he passed wind and continued in his prayer without breaking it off, which forced him to step over the rear rows, disturbing them and spoiling the concentration of the worshippers. What is the ruling on that?
A: We hope that Allah will forgive him. It is obligatory for a person who passes wind while in prayer, or who remembers that he is not in a state of ritual purity, to break off his prayer, go perform the ablution, and return to pray whatever he catches of the congregational prayer. As for the rows of the followers, the imam’s barrier serves as a barrier for them, so if he passes in front of the followers, there is no blame on him. He must maintain calm and tranquility while exiting the row so as not to disturb the worshippers.