When does passing wind become an annulment of Wudu'?


Question:

When does passing wind become an annulment of Wudu’ (ablution)? Is it by hearing a sound, detecting a smell, and feeling something, or only by hearing a sound or detecting a smell, excluding the feeling condition? Please explain this matter to me, may Allah grant you success, for I am confused.

Answer:

All praise is due to Allah Alone, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger, his family, and Companions.

What you have mentioned nullifies Wudu’ if a person becomes sure that something has come out of them either by hearing a sound, detecting a smell, or other things ascertaining the passing out of (minor) ritual impurity (wind, urine or stool), because when the Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked about a man who gets the feeling of passing wind while in Salah (prayer), he said: “He should not leave (prayer) until he hears a sound or detects a smell (of passing wind).” (Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim) 1

  1. Al-Bukhari, Sahih, Book on Wudu*, no. 177; and Abu Dawud, Sunan, Book on purification, no. 176. ↩

May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet, his family and Companions