What is the ruling on someone who feels semen being discharged during prayer, knowing that he is an Imam and it is not discharged with lust or prior thought? Is he required to leave the prayer, renew his ablution, and repeat the prayer?
Among the conditions for the validity of prayer is purity, as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Allah does not accept a prayer without purification." If a person suffers from continuous seminal discharge (sals al-mani) that does not cease, he must perform ablution (wudu') and pray in his condition, and it is recommended for him to wrap a piece of cloth around his penis. However, if the discharge is madhy (pre-seminal fluid), it is impure and must be guarded against by wrapping a cloth, which is obligatory. A person suffering from sals (incontinence) should not lead the prayer unless those praying behind him are also excused (suffering from a similar condition). If the discharge is not continuous, he must wait for its cessation to perform ablution and pray. The Imam's shyness about leaving the prayer in this situation is blameworthy shyness, and he must repent.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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