Ruling on Doubt Regarding Urination

Question

What is the ruling for someone who doubts whether they have urinated or whether the substance that has exited is urine or something else? [AR_ID:4620]

Answer 1

Peace be upon you.

Ayatollah al-Uzma Sayyid Sistani (may Allah protect him):

If a questionable moisture resembling urine exits before performing istibra (cleansing), even if one is unable to perform it, they should assume it is urine, and thus purification and ablution are required. However, if it exits after istibra, one assumes the moisture is pure if there is a possibility it could be urine, and ablution is not required.

Indeed, if someone who has not performed istibra doubts whether moisture has exited or not, they should assume it has not exited, even if they suspect it has, such as when they see moisture on their garment and are unsure if it came from them or from an external source.

Source: Minhaj al-Salihin, Vol. 1, Istibra + Commentary on Al-Urwah Al-Wuthqa, Vol. 1, Issue 6.

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Ayatollah al-Uzma Sayyid Khamenei (may Allah protect him):

If a man performs istibra after urination and then moisture exits from the urethra, and he doubts whether it is urine or something else, it is considered pure, and there is no need for examination in this case. However, if he has not performed istibra and moisture exits that is ambiguous between urine and something else, it is ruled as urine.

If someone who has not performed istibra doubts whether moisture has exited or not, they should assume it has not, such as when they see questionable moisture on their garment and are unsure if it came from them or from an external source, thus it is considered pure and does not invalidate their ablution.

Source: Educational Message, Rulings on Istibra + Tahrir al-Wasila, Rulings on Relieving Oneself.

May you be successful in all good.