Vomit During Prayer

Question: If I am praying and go into sujood, and suddenly feel nauseous (like I'm about to vomit) for a certain reason, but l swallow it and nothing comes out does my prayer become invalid? Do I have to repeat the prayer?

Summary:

If a person vomits during prayer and swallows it deliberately, the prayer is invalid. If swallowed unintentionally or by mistake, the prayer remains valid.

Answer:

In the name of Allah, all praise is due to Allah, and may Peace and Blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).

If a person vomits during prayer and deliberately swallows the vomit, their prayer becomes invalid. However, if they do not intentionally swallow it, their prayer remains valid.

Explanation: • If the person deliberately swallows the vomit during prayer: Their prayer becomes invalid, whether the vomit is a small or large amount, and whether it is at the beginning of its emergence or after it has settled in the mouth. • If the vomit overcomes the person and they do not intend to swallow it: And the vomit reaches the mouth and is swallowed unintentionally, then their prayer is valid, and they do not need to repeat it. • If the person vomits and the vomit comes out, but then they intentionally return it to their mouth and swallow it: Their prayer becomes invalid. • If the vomit is a large amount and it comes out into the mouth and collects there, and then the person swallows it out of forgetfulness or ignorance: Then their prayer is considered valid according to the more correct opinion among scholars.

From the Sunnah:

  • Reported by Abu Dawood (2380) this wording is his — and it was authenticated by Al-Albani.The hadith of the Prophet ﷺ:
    “Whoever is overcome by vomiting, there is no obligation upon him to make up the fast. But whoever induces vomiting deliberately, then he must make up the fast.”

    Note: • The word “Ḏaraʿahu” (ذَرَعَهُ) in the hadith means the vomiting overcame him and came out on its own. • “Istaqā’a” (استقاء) means to vomit deliberately. • Vomiting invalidates fasting if it is swallowed intentionally.

And Allah knows best.

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