I refer to the following verse on Wudhu:
http://www.islamawakened.com/quran/5/6/default.htmYusuf Ali: "O ye who believe! when ye prepare for prayer, wash your faces, and your hands (and arms) to the elbows; Rub your heads (with water); and (wash) your feet to the ankles. If ye are in a state of ceremonial impurity, bathe your whole body. But if ye are ill, or on a journey, or one of you
cometh from offices of nature, or ye have been in
contact with women, and ye find no water, then take for yourselves clean sand or earth, and rub therewith your faces and hands, God doth not wish to place you in a difficulty, but to make you clean, and to complete his favour to you, that ye may be grateful."
Can "offices of nature" also include an episode of flatulence? In the Muslim community I come from an episode of flatulence, however small, renders Wudhu void, and therefore Wudhu must be performed again in order to be fit for prayer. In my personal opinion flatulence may or may not result in uncleanliness, and it should be left to individual judgment if purification is necessary.
Does "contact with women" imply only sexual contact or any form of physical contact? In the Muslim community I come from even an accidental touch with a member of the opposite sex will render Wudhu void.
Your opinions are greatly appreciated.