Led the prayer without wudu out of forgetfulness

Question

One day I prayed 'Asr at home, went to the bazaar a short distance away and stayed there until Maghrib. When the adhan for Maghrib was called, I went to the mosque; there was no one there to lead the prayer. I had led the prayer there for some days, so the people allowed me to lead. That day I had no thought of wudu; when the iqama had been said and I had made the niyya, it occurred to me, but I led the prayer anyway. After the salam I sat for a long time thinking: what should I do now in this situation?

Answer

If [a person] forgetfully began the prayer without wudu and then remembered, it was necessary for him at that moment to inform the worshippers: “I do not have wudu; I will perform wudu and then lead [the prayer].” Leading the prayer without wudu after having remembered is a grave sin. Repentance (tawba) and istighfar before Allah are necessary.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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