Q 1: I offered the Zuhr (Noon) Salah (Prayer) being led by an Imam (the one who leads congregational Prayer) until the fourth Rak‘ah (unit of Prayer). However, while saying the last Tashahhud (a recitation in the sitting position in the last unit of Prayer), my Wudu' (ablution) was invalidated. Is my Salah valid or not? What should I do then?

A: If your Wudu’ is invalidated during the last Tashahhud, your Salah will be invalidated and you will have to re-perform Wudu’ and Salah. Allah (Exalted be He) said: O you who believe! When you intend to offer As-Salât (the prayer), wash your faces and your hands (forearms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to ankles. To the same effect, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “If one of you feels something in his stomach but is doubtful whether or not anything has passed out, he should not leave the Masjid (mosque) unless he hears a sound or smells an odor.” (Related by Muslim) The Hadith indicates that one should not leave Salah unless he is certain that ritual impurity took place. If he is certain, he should leave Salah and re-perform Wudu’. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said in the Hadith related by Muslim and others: “Allah does not accept Salah without purification.” May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.