Should a worshiper interrupt their prayer if they feel the urge to defecate along with continuous flatulence, or should they continue with it?
Scholars have differed on the ruling concerning one who feels the need to urinate or defecate during prayer. The Hanafis held that it is disliked to pray while restraining urine or feces (al-haqin), and one should interrupt the prayer if this preoccupation is severe, provided there is no fear of the prayer time expiring. They consider it sinful to complete the prayer in such a state. The Shafi'is and Hanbalis maintained the validity of the prayer of one who is restraining excrement, though it is disliked. Such a person is not permitted to exit a fard (obligatory) prayer unless they fear harm. The Malikis are of the view that restraining excrement invalidates the prayer if it causes hardship. The most preponderant opinion is that of the Shafi'is and Hanbalis, as long as one is not certain that something has exited.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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