Shar‘i Ruling on Missing Congregational Prayer Due to the Need to Relieve Oneself
Source: Fatāwā Arkān al-Islām
If a person needs to relieve himself (urinate or defecate) and fears that if he goes first, the congregational prayer will end — should he hold it in and join the congregation, or attend to the need first even if he misses the congregation?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh, ammā ba‘d:
In such a situation, the person should:
◈ Relieve himself first.
◈ Then make wuḍū and perform the prayer — even if the congregational prayer is missed.
This is because missing the congregational prayer in this case falls under a valid Shar‘i excuse.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
«لَا صَلَاةَ بِحَضْرَةِ الطَّعَامِ وَلَا هُوَ يُدَافِعُهُ الْأَخْبَثَانِ»
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Masājid, Bāb Karāhat al-Ṣalāh bi-Ḥaḍrat al-Ṭaʿām, ḥadīth 560)
Meaning:
“No prayer should be performed when food is present, nor while one is resisting the urge to relieve himself (urination or defecation).”
The intent is that if a person needs to relieve himself, he should not pray until that need is addressed.
If a person is in urgent need to relieve himself, he should do so before praying so that he can perform the prayer with full focus and peace of mind. Missing the congregation in this case is considered a valid excuse in Sharī‘ah.
هٰذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
Source: Fatāwā Arkān al-Islām
Question
If a person needs to relieve himself (urinate or defecate) and fears that if he goes first, the congregational prayer will end — should he hold it in and join the congregation, or attend to the need first even if he misses the congregation?
Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh, ammā ba‘d:
In such a situation, the person should:
◈ Relieve himself first.
◈ Then make wuḍū and perform the prayer — even if the congregational prayer is missed.
This is because missing the congregational prayer in this case falls under a valid Shar‘i excuse.
Evidence from the Sunnah
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
«لَا صَلَاةَ بِحَضْرَةِ الطَّعَامِ وَلَا هُوَ يُدَافِعُهُ الْأَخْبَثَانِ»
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Masājid, Bāb Karāhat al-Ṣalāh bi-Ḥaḍrat al-Ṭaʿām, ḥadīth 560)
Meaning:
“No prayer should be performed when food is present, nor while one is resisting the urge to relieve himself (urination or defecation).”
The intent is that if a person needs to relieve himself, he should not pray until that need is addressed.
Conclusion
If a person is in urgent need to relieve himself, he should do so before praying so that he can perform the prayer with full focus and peace of mind. Missing the congregation in this case is considered a valid excuse in Sharī‘ah.
هٰذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
