1/69. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 176 — Do Not Leave Prayer for Doubt Alone
A Person Who Is Unsure Of Breaking His Wudu'
Doubt About Breaking Wudu: Sound or Smell
Sunan Abi Dawud : 176
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 176
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ أَبِي خَلَفٍ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ الْمُسَيَّبِ، وَعَبَّادِ بْنِ تَمِيمٍ، عَنْ عَمِّهِ، قَالَ شُكِيَ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم الرَّجُلُ يَجِدُ الشَّىْءَ فِي الصَّلاَةِ حَتَّى يُخَيَّلَ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ " لاَ يَنْفَتِلُ حَتَّى يَسْمَعَ صَوْتًا أَوْ يَجِدَ رِيحًا " .
'Abbad b. Tamim reported from his uncle that a person made a complaint to the Prophet (ﷺ) that he entertained (doubt) as if something had happened to him which had rendered his ablution invalid. He (the Prophet) said: He should not cease (to pray) unless he hears a sound or perceives a smell (of passing wind).
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 176In-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 176English translation : Book 1, Hadith 176
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 176
This Hadith addresses a common worry: doubt about breaking wudu during prayer. A person complained to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم that he felt as if something had happened to him that would invalidate ablution. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said he should not cease praying unless he hears a sound or perceives a smell. The wording gives a clear way to deal with uncertainty in this case. It does not tell the person to leave prayer for every feeling or thought. It sets a simple sign: sound or smell. For people searching does doubt break wudu, passing wind doubt in salah, or hadith hears sound or smells odor, this narration is direct and calming while staying tied to the text.
What we learn from this hadith
- A mere feeling or doubt is not treated like certainty in this report.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم mentioned sound or smell as signs in this case.
- The instruction was given about a person experiencing doubt during prayer.
