Should a worshiper interrupt his prayer and pass in front of other worshipers when he remembers he does not have wudu while in the second of three rows?
If a worshipper's ablution (wudu') becomes invalid or he remembers during prayer that he is not in a state of ablution, he must exit the prayer. As for passing in front of congregants when necessary, there is no harm in it. Imam Malik dedicated a chapter to this in Al-Muwatta, citing the hadith of Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, when he passed in front of some rows while the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was leading people in prayer at Mina. No one censured him for this, which indicates the permissibility of passing and the validity of the prayer.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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