What is the ruling on holding urine outside of prayer according to those who deem it forbidden for someone to pray while suppressing the two excretions?
Most scholars believe that prayer performed while resisting the urge to relieve oneself of the two impurities (feces and urine) is valid but disliked (makruh). The Hanafis, however, interpreted this dislike as amounting to prohibition (tahrim) due to the distraction and mental preoccupation it causes, which detracts from devotion (khushu'). Furthermore, holding back urine, feces, and gas is detrimental to health and can lead to health problems. In such cases, it becomes impermissible (haram) in Islamic law, whether inside or outside of prayer, because it exposes oneself to harm and destruction, as Allah Almighty says: "And do not kill yourselves. Indeed, Allah is to you ever Merciful" (Quran 4:29), and as the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "There should be no harm nor reciprocating harm."
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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