[Q 586] Prayer With Bad Breath

QUESTION:

The salah being makruh here is this makruh tahrimi or tanzeehi as it does jot say

ANSWER:

In the case of bad smell from the mouth, performing salah is makruh tahrimi (prohibitively disliked) and a sin. Therefore, special care should be taken to maintain cleanliness of the mouth.

It is mentioned in Fatawa Razawiyyah: Those people who use non-fragrant tobacco and are accustomed to keeping it in their mouth, their mouth becomes filled with its foul smell such that when speaking closely, others can sense it. Consuming such tobacco is not permissible, as such a person will also offer prayer in that state, and in such a condition, the prayer is makruh tahrimi (prohibitively disliked).

(Fatawa Razawiyyah, Volume 24, Page 555, Raza Foundation)

In another place, it is stated: If coal tar falls into water causing a strong foul smell, but it does not become thick, wudu (ablution) with it is permissible… اقول (I say): however, due to the foul odor, it should be considered makruh (disliked), especially if its smell remains during salah, as it will be the cause of makruh tahrimi (prohibitively disliked).

(Fatawa Razawiyyah, Volume 2, Page 565, Raza Foundation)

Answered by:Mubashir Attari (Ask Mufti Scholar)
Verified by: Mufti Sajid Attari
Translated answer
Date: 19th March 2026.