He was unsure whether his clothes had been polluted by something while he was praying

Question

If the imam is unsure whether his clothes have become polluted, and he does not leave the prayer, since it is only a doubt, then when he finishes praying, he finds some filth on his garment, what is the ruling? And should he leave the prayer in this situation, due to only a doubt, or should he wait until he has prayed?


Answer

If the worshipper is in doubt as to the presence of some pollutant on his garment while praying, it is not permissible for him to abandon the prayer, whether he is the imam or a worshipper being led by the imam, or he is praying alone. He must complete his prayer, and if he finds after that, that there is some pollutant on his garment, there is no obligation on him to make up for it, according to the most authoritative opinion, because he was not aware of its presence until after the prayer.

It has been reported authentically from the Prophet (Sallallahu 'Alayhi wa Sallam) that he removed his shoes during the prayer when Jibril informed him that there was some filth on them, and he did not repeat the first part of the prayer, instead, he continued to pray. And Allah is the giver of success.


Shaikh Ibn Baz (Rahimahullah)

Reference: Fatawa Islamiyah Volume 2 Pages 40