Yes, it can be considered haram (forbidden) to hold in pee based on Islamic teachings.
Why Holding in Pee is Discouraged
Islamic teachings emphasize the importance of maintaining purity and fulfilling the requirements of prayer. Holding in urine or other bodily waste goes against these principles. Here’s a breakdown:
- Natural Needs: Urinating and defecating are considered natural calls of the body that should not be delayed.
- Impact on Prayer: Delaying these natural urges can negatively impact prayer. According to the provided reference, "praying while holding the bladder or bowel movement could harm the fulfilment of the qauli and fi'li requisites of prayer." This implies that concentrating on prayer becomes difficult when preoccupied with the discomfort of needing to relieve oneself.
- Risk of Impurity: Holding in urine can potentially lead to some of the najis (impurities) coming out and soiling clothes, thereby impacting prayer validity. The reference states: "By holding them in, it could lead to some of the najis to come out and end up on the clothes worn."
- Health Concerns: While not directly stated in the reference, delaying urination can also have negative health implications and should be avoided.
Practical Implications
| Situation | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Feeling the Urge Before Prayer | It's recommended to relieve yourself first before beginning prayer to ensure focus and avoid any potential interruptions or invalidations during prayer. |
| During Prayer | If the need to urinate becomes overwhelming during prayer, it's permissible to interrupt the prayer, relieve yourself and perform wudu (ablution) again and resume the prayer. |
| When Traveling/Outside of Home | When traveling or outside of your home you should make an effort to relieve yourself when it is possible to, while still respecting the environment and others around you. |
Key Considerations:
- Purity: Maintaining physical purity is crucial for valid Islamic prayer, so avoiding situations that could lead to impurity is highly encouraged.
- Focus: Praying should be done with khushu (concentration) and a clear mind. Needing to urinate interferes with this necessary concentration.
- Health: Paying attention to one's bodily needs is important for overall well-being.
Therefore, while it's not a major sin in itself, deliberately and repeatedly holding in pee when it's possible to relieve oneself can be considered makrooh (disliked) or even haram when it impacts prayer and purity.
