Q: While leading the salaah, my wudhu broke. I was taught that it is best to break the salaah in this instance, due to the possibility of creating confusion. I therefore made one salaam and announced that my wudhu had broken while moving away. No one in the congregation stopped their salaah and the person behind me stepped forward to continue the salaah from the point that I stopped.
1. Was it correct for them to continue the salaah, as I had made one salaam (After my wudhu broke)?
2. Does the salaah have to be repeated?
3. Can you explain any other rulings that may help in such a situation (does the Imam have to appoint someone, or does simply moving away suffice,
etc)
A: They need to repeat their salaah. You were not allowed to speak. Your speaking had nullified the namaaz totally. Hence, all the muqtadees should repeat their namaaz.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
المفسد للصلاة نوعان قول وفعل النوع الأول في الأقوال إذا تكلم في صلاته ناسيا أو عامدا خاطئا أو قاصدا قليلا أو كثيرا تكلم لإصلاح صلاته بأن قام الإمام في موضع القعود فقال له المقتدي اقعد أو قعد في موضع القيام فقال له قم أو لا لإصلاح صلاته ويكون الكلام من كلام الناس استقبل الصلاة عندنا كذا في المحيط (الفتاوى الهندية 1/ 98)
Answered by:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)