Is it obligatory for someone afflicted with chronic flatulence to suppress the flatulence during prayer? Does his ablution become invalid upon its emission? Does the ablution of someone performing the night vigil prayer become invalid upon the entry of the dawn prayer time? Is a person sinful if they are unable to go to a doctor to treat chronic flatulence due to circumstances?
The criterion for being afflicted with سلس (incontinence/ سلس البول, سلس الريح, etc.) is explained in Fatwa no. 97134. One who is afflicted with it performs ablution (وضوء) after the entry of the prayer's time, and whatever exits from them does not harm them until the time for the prayer for which they performed ablution expires. If it is possible to prevent the wind from exiting until one prays, then that is obligatory, and such a person is not considered to have سلس. If the dawn (Fajr) adhan is called while a person with سلس is performing night prayers, their ablution becomes invalid according to the majority of scholars, but it does not become invalid according to the Malikis. The Malikis obligate a person with سلس to seek treatment if they are able to.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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