Short answer
If leaking is so constant that you cannot keep wudu long enough to pray the fard of a prayer, you are ma'dhur (excused). Make wudu after each prayer time begins and pray all you want in that time; the leaking does not break it until the time ends. If it is a one-off accident, wash, change and renew wudu.
A person becomes ma'dhur when the condition continues for a whole prayer time without a break long enough for wudu and the fard prayer. They make wudu once per prayer time, and it lasts until the time ends or another breaker happens. The status continues as long as it occurs at least once in each later prayer time.
Other madhhabs
- Shafi'i
- Wudu is made after the time begins, after cleaning and binding the area, and only one fard prayer may be prayed with it.
- Maliki
- Constant leakage does not break wudu at all; renewing it for each prayer is recommended.
Explanation
A woman with constant bleeding was told by the Prophet ﷺ to make wudu for every prayer and keep praying. Scholars apply this to anyone with a continuous condition: urine drips, constant wind, discharge or a wound that keeps bleeding. Allah asks you to fear Him as much as you are able.
The Hanafi rules for a ma'dhur (excused person):
- Becoming ma'dhur: the leak continues through one whole prayer time, so that you cannot find a gap long enough for wudu and the fard.
- Wudu: after the prayer time starts, make wudu. Pray the fard, sunnah, qada or nafl prayers and read the Quran as you like.
- When it breaks: when that prayer time ends, or something else breaks it, such as sleep or passing wind if that is not your condition.
- Clothes: if washing is pointless because they get wet again before you finish, you need not wash them for each prayer.
- Ending: you stay ma'dhur while the condition shows up at least once in each prayer time. A full prayer time without it ends the status.
Use a pad or liner and change it when practical. If you are not at this level, for example a few drops after urinating, wait for them to stop, then make wudu; see waswasa about drops.
A one-off accident, such as wetting yourself, is different: wash the area, wash or change your clothes, renew wudu and pray. Cases vary, so ask a qualified mufti about your own.
Ask a mufti about your own case. This answer explains the general ruling. When the details of your situation matter, as they do here, ask a qualified mufti and give them the full facts. Where to ask a scholar.
The evidence
Quran, Surah At-Taghaabun 64:16
فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا ٱسْتَطَعْتُمْ وَٱسْمَعُوا۟ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ وَأَنفِقُوا۟ خَيْرًۭا لِّأَنفُسِكُمْ ۗ وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِۦ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ ﴿١٦﴾
So fear Allah as much as you are able and listen and obey and spend [in the way of Allah]; it is better for your selves. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul - it is those who will be the successful.
Worship is asked within what a person can manage.
Jami' at-Tirmidhi 125
Graded sahih... توضئي لكل صلاة حتى يجيء ذلك الوقت ...
"Make wudu for every prayer until that time comes."
A person with a continuous condition makes wudu for each prayer and keeps praying.
Where the ruling is recorded
- Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Kitab al-Taharah, chapter on the excused person (ma'dhur). The conditions for becoming, remaining and ceasing to be ma'dhur.
- Nur al-Idah with Maraqi al-Falah, Chapter on the ma'dhur. Wudu is made for each prayer time.
- Minhaj al-Talibin, Kitab al-Taharah, chapter on istihadah. The Shafi'i rule of one fard per wudu.
This answer is pending review by the scholars on our team. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.