Explanation of the Hadith concerning the doubt whether one has pass wind and broke Wudoo

Praise be to Allah,

Narrated ‘Abbad bin Tamim (R.A): My uncle asked the Messenger of Allaah (PBUH) about a person who imagined having passed wind during the Salaat. Allaah’s Messenger (PBUH) replied,

“He should not leave his Salaat unless he hears a sound or smells something.”[i]

Important Points Derived from the Hadeeth:

1. General Principle: A thing is considered to remain in its original state or condition, as long as there is no definite change in it.

2. Doubt alone or uncertainty, concerning the nullification of one’s state of purification, does not invalidate or nullify neither the ablution nor the Prayer.

3. The prohibition of leaving the Salaat, once you have begun to pray unless there is a clear reason [like one who is certain that he has nullified his ablution].

4. That the gas/wind which is passed from the anus – whether it is heard or not – is a nullifier of ablution.

5. What is meant by the words – in this hadeeth: “unless he hears sound or smells something”, is that one should not leave the prayer until there is the certainty of having nullified the ablution. Hence, the ablution of someone is nullified when they become certain – even through some way other than these two senses – though one does not hear or smells anything.

6. From proper etiquette is to avoid phrases which their mention causes embarrassment.

Allah Knows Best.

Copied from Sources:

Arousing the Intellects with the Explanation of Umdatul Ahkaam. The Book Of At-Taharaah by Allama Sheikh Salih Ibn Uthaymeen (May Allah have mercy on him). page  71

Tayseer al-Allaam Sharh Umdatul-Ahkaam by Shaykh Abdullah ibn Abdur – Rahmaan Aal Bassaam. Page 54

[i] Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 1, Book 4, Hadeeth Number 137, p. 136; Saheeh Muslim, Volume 1, Book 3,

Hadeeth Number 804, p. 468