Do I Have to Wash my Clothes Thrice?

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick

Question

Do I have to wash my impure clothes three times in a bucket? I have OCD, so I sometimes have doubts like, “Did I wash my clothes three times?” This is a painful problem. If I have these doubts, do I need to rewash my clothes three times?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him. Amin.

After removing physical (discernable) filth, you need only to wash the clothes once, and Allah knows best. Please ignore your waswasa-based thoughts, as they could destroy you if you obey them, and Allah knows best.

Please visit this related answer on how to clean impurities.

Please consult our reader on waswasa.

May Allah bless and guide us all.

[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar, Shaykh Taha Karaan.

Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.

He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.

Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and pursuing his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.