A question regarding the validity of ablution (wudu') performed before its time for those with excuses and incontinence ( سلس - salasil ), as it is stated in the Madhhab of Imam Ahmad that it is not valid except for a missed prayer. The questioner inquires about the meaning of "missed prayer" (فائتة), and whether the ablution performed for Asr prayer is valid for the subsequent Maghrib prayer, or if it refers to ablution for a prayer missed from a previous day. He also asks about the validity of ablution performed before its time for circumambulation (tawaf) and whether it is permissible to use it for prayer after the time for prayer has begun, noting the apparent contradiction with the hadith concerning performing ablution for every prayer.

The Hanbalis hold that the ablution of a person with a continuous ritual impurity is not valid unless the time for prayer has begun. If he performs ablution during its time, he may pray more than one obligatory prayer with it as long as the time remains. If the time expires, his ablution becomes void if anything exited from him after performing it. As for a missed prayer, he performs ablution for it and makes it up at any time. And whoever performs ablution for a current prayer may pray with it as many missed prayers as he wishes, as long as the time for the current prayer has not expired. The purification of a person with continuous ritual impurity is time-bound, similar to tayammum (dry ablution). So, if he performs ablution before the time and something exits from him, his purification becomes void. But if he performs ablution after the time, it is valid, and what is renewed of the impurity, which cannot be avoided, does not affect him.