Muslim

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues: From this hadith, the following principle and rule are derived: (الْيَقِيْنُ لَايَزُوْلُ بَالشَّك) — Certainty is not removed by doubt. That is, certainty does not cease due to doubt, and everything remains upon its original state until certainty to the contrary is established. Therefore, the position of the majority of the imams is that ablution (wudu) is not nullified until one is certain of its nullification.

However, two opinions are narrated from Imam Malik rahimahullah:
(1) Ablution (wudu) is nullified by doubt in every situation (whether inside or outside of prayer).
(2) If prayer has not yet begun, then ablution (wudu) is nullified by doubt. But the position of the majority is in accordance with the hadith.

1:
This hadith indicates that due to doubt as to whether wind was passed or not, ablution (wudu) is not nullified.
And from this, an important principle is also indicated: that everything remains upon its original ruling until something to the contrary is established with certainty and conviction.
A ruling does not change merely due to doubt.

1:
The intent is that a person should be certain that wind (i.e., gas) has exited, whether through these two means or by any other means. These two have been mentioned specifically only because, generally in this context, these are the two means by which certainty is usually attained.

Benefits:

These ahadith are evidence that before the migration to Madinah, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and the noble Companions radi Allahu anhum used to perform prayer facing Bayt al-Maqdis, and prior to the migration to Madinah and the change of qiblah, the qiblah of the Muslims, like that of the Jews and Christians, was also Bayt al-Maqdis. Then, due to the intense desire of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, the Ka'bah was made the qiblah for the Muslims. And after the migration to Madinah, from the time of the command to change the qiblah to the Ka'bah, the permanent qiblah for the people of Islam is the Ka'bah, towards which it is obligatory for all Muslims to face during prayer.

Benefits and Issues:
When one is certain of being in a state of purity (taharah) and merely doubts whether the ablution (wudu) has been nullified, the worshipper should act upon his certainty. Moreover, a Muslim should not pursue doubts, but rather should avoid doubtful matters. For this reason, the principle in jurisprudence (fiqh) is that certainty is not removed by doubt. [الاشباہ والنظائر]

Lexical Explanation:
«وَجَدَ فِي بَطْنِهِ شَيْئًا» He felt something in his stomach, as if wind (gas) was circulating.
«أَشْكَلَ» He became doubtful, it became difficult (uncertain).
«أَخْرَجَ» The hamzah here is for interrogation, meaning he becomes doubtful as to whether wind (gas) has exited or not.
«فَلَا يَخْرُجَنَّ» He should not break his prayer merely on the basis of doubt and hesitation.
«حَتَّى يَسْمَعَ» Until he hears the sound of the wind exiting.
«أَوْ يَجِدَ رِيحًا» Or he perceives the smell of the silent wind exiting from the stomach. The intent is that a person should be certain that wind has exited from the stomach, whether by these two means or any other means. These two are mentioned specifically only because, in most cases, certainty is achieved through these two sources.

Benefits and Issues:
➊ According to this hadith, it is clear that ablution (wudu) is not nullified due to doubt.
➋ If we broaden this concept a little, it also points to a principle that everything remains upon its ruling and original state until certainty and confidence to the contrary is established. Doubt and hesitation are not considered valid.