Fatwa by: Shaykh Ibn Jibreen (حفظه الله)
Question:
I remembered during Salah that I am wearing impure (najis) clothing. In this situation, must I break the prayer and offer it again? Additionally, what are the valid reasons for breaking Salah?
Answer:
If a person realizes during Salah that they are carrying impurity, their prayer becomes invalid. However, if they only realize this after the prayer has ended, their Salah remains valid and does not need to be repeated. If, during Salah, they become aware of the impurity and are able to remove it immediately, they should do so and complete the prayer.
This is because Jibrīl (عليه السلام) once informed the Prophet ﷺ during Salah that there was impurity on his sandals. The Prophet ﷺ removed them and did not invalidate the part of the prayer he had already offered.
Similarly, if a person discovers impurity on their turban and removes it during Salah, they can continue the prayer based on the previous portion. However, if removing the impurity requires significant action—such as removing a shirt or pants—they must end the prayer and begin again.
Likewise, if someone remembers that they had been praying without wudūʾ, or they lose their wudūʾ during Salah, or for any other reason the prayer is invalidated (e.g., laughing), they must repeat the prayer.
And Allah knows best.
Question:
I remembered during Salah that I am wearing impure (najis) clothing. In this situation, must I break the prayer and offer it again? Additionally, what are the valid reasons for breaking Salah?
Answer:
If a person realizes during Salah that they are carrying impurity, their prayer becomes invalid. However, if they only realize this after the prayer has ended, their Salah remains valid and does not need to be repeated. If, during Salah, they become aware of the impurity and are able to remove it immediately, they should do so and complete the prayer.
This is because Jibrīl (عليه السلام) once informed the Prophet ﷺ during Salah that there was impurity on his sandals. The Prophet ﷺ removed them and did not invalidate the part of the prayer he had already offered.
Similarly, if a person discovers impurity on their turban and removes it during Salah, they can continue the prayer based on the previous portion. However, if removing the impurity requires significant action—such as removing a shirt or pants—they must end the prayer and begin again.
Likewise, if someone remembers that they had been praying without wudūʾ, or they lose their wudūʾ during Salah, or for any other reason the prayer is invalidated (e.g., laughing), they must repeat the prayer.
And Allah knows best.
