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Irritable Bowel Syndrome and continual passing of wind

15-09-2001

Question 22343

I suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome, the symptoms of which include wind and abdominal swelling. I cannot control the passing of this wind, which is passed continually. This is causing me problems in my prayers. 
I want to ask: on Friday when I go out early, say one hour before the prayer, do I have to repeat my wudoo’ when the imaam enters the mosque? Please note that it is very difficult to do that, because of the crowding in the wudoo’ places at that time. 
Secondly, I am the muezzin of a mosque and sometimes I lead the people in prayer. What is the ruling on my leading them when this is my condition?

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

Your situation is like that of one who suffers from (urinary) incontinence. So you have to do wudoo’ when the time for each prayer comes. You also have to do wudoo’ for jumu’ah prayer after the second call, even if there are a lot of people. 

With regard to your leading the people in prayer, it is valid according to the most correct view, but if you can find someone else to lead the people in prayer that may be better, because there is the possibility that you may pass wind and the people may notice it. Even though your prayer is valid, you should not let people know your condition lest they think badly of you. We ask Allaah to relieve you of what you are suffering from and to restore you to good health.

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