When I Prayed without Ablution or Tayammum

Alhamdulillah… All praise and thanks are due to Allah, Who has decreed Solat upon us, to be performed in due times. May His Peace and Blessings be upon Habibi Muhammad, his household, his companions and all those who follow his guided path.

The Story: I Prayed with Ablution

A week before Ramaḍān (2013) I delivered a talk in a family carnival, organized by the Malabar Muslim Association, Singapore. The time slot for my talk was between 6pm and 6.30pm. I usually leave home with ablution (wuḍhū'), so did I, on that occasion. In fact, I performed my Asr with that ablution in Masjid Sultan, Singapore.

My talk finished 15 minutes before Maghrib, so I managed to rush back to Masjid Sultan a few minutes before Azan (for Maghrib). I entered the mosque, and was waiting to join the prayers immediately after Azan is over.

Knowing and remembering that I've already taken my ablution, there was no need for me to retake it. Instead, I thought it was wise to spend that time doing something else. I was thankful to Allah, that He made me remember, that while I was waiting to deliver my talk, I went to the gents, and was not able to retake my ablution, before the talk. I immediately rushed to the ablution area, retook my ablution and joined the congregation before the Solat started.

That Story Reminded me of Another True Story

This incident reminded me of one Sunday night, when I was at home alone with my father in-law. I was busy writing, at my desk. Usually, when I write, I only leave my desk when it's time for Solat, especially Maghrib and Isha.

On that particular Sunday, I took ablution and joined my father in-law for Maghrib (in the house). I joined him for Isha when it was time. This is what I usually do, when I'm at home.

The next day, a thought came to me, and reminded me, that the Isha I prayed the night earlier was without ablution. O yeah! I produced wind in the time between after-Maghrib and Isha!

So, What was the Solution?

I was the Imam for the Solat I performed in the company of my father (in-law). My Solat was invalid, since I now know I didn't have valid ablution. But my father's Solat was valid. This means, I didn't have to tell my father that my Solat was invalid.

All I have (had) to do, is (was) to re-pray my Isha in a state of purity (Wudhu/ablusion).

I Also Remembered my Late Shaykh

This experience also reminded me of the story of my late Shaykh, who was a prominent Khatib in Friday sermons in Tunisia. He once remembered on a Saturday, that he led the entire congregation in the Friday prayers, the day before, without ablution!

There's no way he could find every single one and tell him of what had happened, or ask them to re-pray. In fact, he didn't have to do that, nor did the congregation need to re-pray their Zuhr.

What he had to do, was to redo his Zuhr (Four Raka'ah and not two) in a state of purity.

When one leads prayers, and remembers, while praying, that he's not in the state of purity or that the cloth he's wearing is not pure, or even when his ablution goes invalid during prayers, he has to signal to the person behind him to replace him and lead the prayers and he withdraws to settle his problem. This is known is Fiqh as “Istikhlaf.” The congregation deosn't have to stop praying, as a result.

When he's praying alone, he stops, goes to purify himself, and repeats his Solat.

The Lessons Learnt

1. One should take their ablution for every Solat, even when they have ablution. In the end, ablution on top of ablution is brightness and light.
2. It's better to take ablution always immediately after using the toilet, as possible. This will minimize the tendency of praying without ablution, while one thinks he has ablution.
3. Sunnah prayers are encouraged before the obligatory ones, to better prepare one for the most important Solat. Entering into Solat immediately from your workstation will engage you with your work during the Solat, rather than the Solat itself.
4. One's Solat is valid so long as he's sure he has ablution, and so long as he's forgotten his ablution is broken.
5. Human being is bound to mistakes; no matter how they strive for perfection they'll never achieve it. But working towards perfection makes our acts of ‘Ibadah standout among the deeds of creatures, in the Sight of Allah.

Do you have similar stories which we can learn from? Please share them with us in the comment area below. I would love to hear from you.

Allah knows best.

Allahu Hafiz 🙂