But with regard to the invalidation of ablution, we have a principle established by the Prophet ﷺ in his statement concerning a man who imagines that he feels something in his abdomen while praying: “He should not leave until he hears a sound or detects an odor” (1).

The Prophet ﷺ did not require ablution except of one who is certain that a cause requiring it has occurred. There is no difference between a cause whose occurrence is doubtful in reality, as in this hadith, and one whose legal ruling is doubtful. Both involve doubt: in the former, there is doubt as to whether that which invalidates ablution has occurred or not; in the latter, there is doubt as to whether the Sacred Law requires it or not.

Thus, the hadith indicates that ablution is not invalidated except with certainty, and here there is no certainty.

Accordingly, the stronger view is that chosen by Shaykh al-Islam, may Allah have mercy on him: purification is not invalidated by the expiry of the prescribed period, due to the absence of evidence.

Whenever anyone presents evidence, we must follow the evidence. But when there is no evidence, it is not permissible for us to impose upon Allah’s servants what Allah has not imposed upon them. For the people of knowledge are answerable before Allah and entrusted with the Sacred Law. Hence it is stated in the hadith: “They are the heirs of the prophets” (2).