Salah and Wudu with Catheter: Ruling of Taharah With Urinary Catheter

Introduction

In Islam, maintaining purity is essential for salah (prayer), yet many Muslims face challenges when illness requires medical devices such as a urinary catheter.

A catheter is a thin tube inserted into the bladder to drain urine continuously, often used after surgery or during serious illness.

Similar devices—such as drainage bags, IV lines, and medical tubes—may also limit a patient’s ability to perform normal wudu or visit the washroom. These situations raise important questions about how to perform wudu, salah, and uphold taharah.

Salah and Wudu With Catheter

A Muslim is required to perform the Salah (prayer) in every condition as long as his mind is sound. If a sick person can pray while standing, he must do so; if he is unable, then he should pray seated. If he cannot sit, he should pray on his side, and if that too is not possible, then he may pray while lying on his back.

This ruling is because of the report narrated by al-Bukhari (1066) from Imran ibn Husayn, who said: I had haemorrhoids, so I asked the Prophet (ﷺ) and he said: “Pray standing, and if you cannot, then (pray) sitting, and if you cannot then (pray) on your side.”

The same principle applies to purification. If he is able to perform wudu with water, he must do so; but if he is unable, then he should perform tayammum using clean earth.

Shaykh Abd al-Azeez ibn Baz (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked about the patient who has a catheter: how should he pray and how should he do wudu?

He replied: “He should pray according to his situation, like the one who is incontinent and like the woman who is suffering from istihaadah (non-menstrual vaginal bleeding). The sick person should pray according to his situation when the time of the prayer begins. He should do tayammum if he is unable to use water, but if he is able to do that then he must do wudu with water, because Allah says: “So keep your duty to Allah and fear Him as much as you can” [al-Taghaabun 64:16].

And anything that comes out after that will not matter, but he should not do wudu until the time for that prayer begins, and he may pray regardless of anything that comes out, so long as it is within the time of that prayer, even if urine is coming out of his penis; the same applies to the woman who is suffering from istihaadah: she may pray within the time of the prayer, even if it comes out of her for a long time. So she should pray according to her situation.

But the one whose condition means that he is continually breaking his wudu should not do wudu until the time for it begins, because the Prophet (ﷺ) said to the woman who was suffering istihaadah: “Do wudu at the time for every prayer.”

So the one who is incontinent (meaning having no or insufficient voluntary control over urination or defecation), the woman who is suffering istihaadah and the patient asked about here may offer prayers at the time for every prayer, both obligatory and naafil, read Qur’aan from the Mushaf and circumambulate the Ka‘bah (tawaaf), if they are in Makkah at that time. But when the time for that prayer ends, they should refrain from these actions until they have done wudu for the prayer whose time has now begun”. End quote. [Al-Fataawa al-Muta‘alliqah bi’l-Tibb wa Ahkaam al-Marda, p.34].

Fasting and Related Issues When Using Urinary Catheter

Placing a catheter in a patient to remove urine or abdominal waste does not break the fast, as this procedure is neither considered eating or drinking nor comparable to them in any way.

Shaikh Ibn Uthaymin (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “The Lawgiver has only forbidden us to eat or drink – i.e., during the fast – so whatever takes the place of food or drink comes under the same ruling as food and drink, and whatever is not like that and does not come under the heading of food or drink in terms of wording or meaning, the ruling on food and drink cannot be applied to it”. End quote. [Majmoo Fataawa wa Rasaail al-Uthaymin (19/205)]

He also said: “If a person inserts a scope into the stomach until it reaches it, then that breaks the fast […] But the correct view is that it does not break the fast, unless there is some oil or the like on this scope that reaches the stomach by means of this scope, in which case it does break the fast, and it is not permissible to use it during an obligatory fast except in cases of necessity”.

“If a person had an opening in his stomach, and something entered his stomach through this opening […] his fast would be broken thereby, just as it would be broken by a deep stab wound”.

“But the correct view is that the fast is not broken thereby, unless this opening is made in place of the mouth, so that food and drink enter through it, in cases of esophageal blockage, ulcers and the like, in which case whatever enters through it breaks the fast, just as if it entered through the mouth. This is the view favored by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah”. End quote. [Ash-Sharh al-Mumti 6/370].

Shaikh Sulayman al-Majid said: “Catheterization means inserting a tube into the urethra for various medical purposes. It does not break the fast of one who is fasting, because it is not food or drink, and does not come under the heading of other things that break the fast”. End quote. 1

Entering Masjid with Catheter And Related Issues

Under normal conditions, it is strongly discouraged to bring impurities or foul-smelling substances into the masjid, especially if there is a real risk of contaminating the prayer area.

However, a person who is undergoing urinary catheterization may enter the masjid with the attached urine bag, provided it is secure and concealed. In this situation, the bag is regarded like an internal organ and not an external impurity brought into the masjid.

This ruling is supported by the fact that the Prophet ﷺ allowed a woman experiencing istiḥaḍah (non-menstrual bleeding) to perform itikaf in the masjid, as the impurity remained covered and did not cause any offensive odor. Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said “One of the wives of the Apostle of Allah(ﷺ) observed Itikaf along with him (in the mosque). She would see yellowness and redness. Sometimes we would place a washbasin while she prayed.” 2

However, it is better for someone who is ill to avoid going to the masjid in order to prevent health complications for himself, spreading of infections and to protect the cleanliness of the masjid. Islam gives relief from certain obligations during illness, based on the principle “المشقة تجلب التيسير” (hardship brings ease).

Conclusion

Islamic rulings provide ease and flexibility for those who use a urinary catheter or similar medical devices due to illness. Such patients fall under the category of people with a continuous excuse: they perform wudu when the prayer time begins and pray in whichever position they are capable of. Any involuntary leakage does not invalidate their salah. Catheterization also does not break the fast, since it is unrelated to food or drink. Entering the masjid is permissible as long as the urine bag is secure, hidden, and free from odor. Ultimately, Islam ensures that the sick are not burdened beyond their ability and that their worship remains valid.

“Ya Allah, grant complete and speedy recovery to all sick Muslims, bless their health and lives, and grant them patience and tranquility. Ameen ya Rabb!”.

Wallahualam (and Allah knows best)!

Footnotes:

1. Fatwa taken from his website www.salmajed. com/node/12191
2. Hadith from Abu Dawood, Kitab us siyaam, chapter: The Woman Suffering From Istihadah Observing Itikaf, Classed Sahih by Albani.