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Severe Doubts in Washroom

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Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat is asked about severe doubts on purity in the washroom.

For the past seven months I have been going through so much doubts and uncertainty in my life. I feel like searching for answers online has made it worst. Please give me direct answers to the following, and advise dua to remove uncertainty and whispers of shaytan. I feel like Allah is mad at me, I don’t know why this is happening to me, and I am so depressed. Even when I get the right advice on these matters I keep thinking in more detail and then questioning if even the littlest thing is impure or is transferring impurity. I’m so overwhelmed, I keep crying, and have so much anxiety. Sometimes I ignore it and go about how I normally did all this, but then start feeling anxious that Allah will get mad at me.

  1. Water splashes on the body during istinja – on any part of the body including hair, face, neck etc. – is it pure or impure?
  2. Water splashes on items or clothes during istinja. Is that pure or impure?
  3. Is the hand that is used to wash during istinja considered clean? I feel like any water that falls from my hands and fingers as I get up to go the sink is impure, and get scared I’ll make things dirty or my body dirty.
  4. Is your hand considered impure from touching the water jug used for istinja? Are any parts of the body considered impure if it comes in contact with the water jug?
  5. Do I have to dig into each nail when washing my hands after doing istinja? I know for peeing you just pour water. But istinja for defecation, when you use your left hand, do you have to dig into each nail when washing with soap?
  6. Do I have to wash the handle or tap of the sink every time I wash my hands? After washing my hands, I close the tap then feel I should wash the tap and then my hands again because tap is dirty now or impure.
  7. Is the water on the sink and countertop in the washroom impure? I always feel while I am wiping the counter and water splashes on my feet I need to wash my feet. Or if I place items on the counter they are dirty now and I should wash them before using, and then wash my hands after touching them.
  8. Is the rag or mop used to wipe and dry the floor dirty. While I wipe the floor and water on the floor if a bit of the rag or mop comes into contact with skin or feet I feel like I should wash that area of skin or my feet.

These are uncertainties I have been facing regarding purity and impurity within the bathroom. I have more questions but those are unrelated. Anyways, I feel like I will never get ease. Please help me. Thank you. May Allah reward you all.

I pray you are well.

The answer to all the scenarios above is: pure; and you don’t have to dig into the nails when washing your hand after istinja.

It seems you have contacted us before with a similar list of questions. Please try to calm down. Your anxiety should not let you think that Allah hates you. You are in a test – that is all.

Having a Good Opinion of Allah

The Messenger of Allah told us that “Whoever Allah wants good for He continually tests him.” Have a good opinion of Allah, and ask for a way out of your predicament. The moments when you are feel overwhelmed are the best moments to ask, because Allah swiftly responds to those who ask in desperation.

Anytime you think that Allah hates you – tell yourself that this statement is a lie. He made you a believer and that “Allah is the ally of the believers” (Sura al-Baqara 2:256). The fact that you have belief is enough to prove He loves you. Ask Him for help, seek support from friends and family, and learn about the virtues of patience and trust in Allah. They will bring you much-needed light in the darkest hours.

I don’t advise you to go searching online for answers, nor is it advisable for you to look up detailed issues without a scholar, as it will only worsen your issues. Find a reliable local scholar and ask him to explain purity to you in a simple manner, and do just that.

Seek Professional Help

You have OCD. Although it seems unbearable, this issue can be fixed. It may take some time, but you will be rewarded for the difficulty you endure. Please find a professional practitioner of effective therapies such as EFT, EMDR, or PSTEC, and get some help. If you have to spend some money doing so, then consider it as charity upon oneself.

Please refer to this answer for more clarity.

May Allah give you a way out very soon.

Abdul-Rahim

Checked and approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani.

Advice for Sufferers of Extreme Waswasa or OCD in Issues of Purification

Purification Issues: Washing Limbs & Used Water

How to Handle Constant Waswasa in Acts of Purification and Worship

Excusable Filth in the Four Madhhabs

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Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat answers a series of questions about the excusable amount of filth according to the four madhhabs.

Question:

Assalam alaykum wa rahmat Allah wa barakatuh.

I have a big problem. I suffer from OCD. It’s driving me crazy. I need to know how much filth (najasa) is excusable. I know what the four Madhhabs say about excusable amounts of filth for prayer, but I don’t know which is the best and correct position.

Sometimes when urinating I feel a tiny drop on my foot or when I’m washing myself I feel used water drop on my feet but when I check my feet, I don’t see anything. The Shafi‘is say that tiny drops we cannot see are excused and they think its true.

Please tell me which madhhab’s position is true and please explain why? And please tell me if the water of istinja is impure? (Water flows while I’m washing myself.) It doesn’t seem so to me, because there is more water than urine, so the color and smell doesn’t change.

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmat Allah wa barakatuh.

I pray you are well.

The Four Schools of Law

All of the four schools of law are correct, because they are based on sound understandings of the the greatest scholars of the Umma. These scholars had the highest levels of knowledge, understanding, and ability. They did not make rulings up; rather they interpreted the Qurʾan and the Sunna to give the the rulings of the Shariʿa.

So if they are all valid, and all their rulings are correct, which one should you choose to follow? The answer is, the easier one for you, and the one which you can easily learn and apply.

I personally feel that the Hanafi school is very easy to learn; and there is a lot of flexibility in the rulings relating to purity. I think the Shafi‘i is slightly harder in this matter. See which school you can easily learn with local scholars or with a course at SeekersGuidance, and apply it.

Purity

As for the water for istinja, you cannot tell if it is actually impure. Also the fact that it is flowing means it is pure as long as the colour, smell or taste of impurity do not show. You can assume the drops are pure. Even small drops of urine in situations like this are excused (Maydani, al-Lubab fi Sharh al-Kitab; Shurubnulali, Maraqi al-Falah).

I advise you to learn a school with a qualified scholar, and have your questions on purity answered. Also, please look at our OCD archives and get some therapy if you need it to get over the issue.

May Allah facilitate every good for you in this world and the next.

Abdul-Rahim

Checked and approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani.

Excused Liquid Filth and Ignoring Baseless Doubts About Purity

How to Deal With Waswas During Istinja?

How to Avoid Waswasa of Dripping Urine After Using the Restroom

How to Handle Constant Waswasa in Acts of Purification and Worship

Air Bubbles Invalidating Wudu

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Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat is asked about felt air bubbles passing after making wudu, if they invalidate it, and how to deal with doubts concerning them.

Question:

Assalam alaykum wa rahmat Allah wa barakatuh.

I know air bubbles from the front for women do not break wudu because its not from an impure site, but what about the ones felt near the back?

To avoid this I try to use the bathroom and try to squeeze out any air bubbles, if that makes sense, before wudu. But I still feel them during prayer and have to contract my muscles and make sure nothing escapes.

Sitting down and reading the Qur’an has become so hard for me because I always feel air bubbles in the behind area and feel my wudu is broken and I cannot read anymore.

I have lessened my reading because of this, and I don’t know what to do or what is the ruling here. Often these air bubbles are between the cheeks not even coming out of anywhere. So really stressed because of this.

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmat Allah wa barakatuh.

I pray you are well.

Certainty Is not Removed by Doubts

This is a principle in fiqh. Once you perform wudu, the only thing that would remove you from this state is certainty of breaking it. Feeling bubbles of air does not break wudu. Only the exiting of air would.

Seeing as this is a recurring issue for you, you should only think that your wudu is broken if you are absolutely certain something has come out. This is known by hearing or smelling something, or when there has undoubtedly been a passage of wind. (Zarqa, Sharh al-Qawaʿid al-Fiqhiyya)

Controlling Wind Issues

Generally, people have wind issues due to an imbalance in gut bacteria. You should take the steps to replenish the good gut bacteria in order to make purity and purification easier for you. A good place to start is Dr David Perlmutter’s book, Brain Maker. He deals extensively with this issue.

As a short term fix, activated charcoal, which can be purchased in the form of capsules, is excellent at absorbing excess air in the gut, and can help with your issues.

May Allah grant you the best of both worlds

Abdul-Rahim

Checked and approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani.

Does Air Exiting From the Front Privates of a Female Invalidate Her Wudu? (Shafi’i)

Flatulence Problem and Praying in Congregation

I Always Think That I Have Lost My Wudu During Prayer. What Can I Do?

I Worry That Water from the Commode May Splash on to My Ablution Jug. Should I Wash It?

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Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalam alaikum

After using the commode I worry about whether the water from flushing has splashed on to the vessel I use to make ablution. Should I wash the vessel?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,

Assume that such water didn’t affect your person, clothing or pouring jug. Practically, keep the jug slightly away from the toilet so that your heart can be at rest. Ignore misgivings and don’t investigate.

Please also see: A Reader on Waswasa (Baseless Misgivings)

And Allah Most High alone knows best.

wassalam,

[Ustadh] Tabraze Azam.

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Tabraze Azam was born and raised in Ipswich, England, a quiet town close to the east coast of England. His journey for seeking sacred knowledge began when he privately memorized the entire Qur’an in his hometown at the age of 16. He also had his first experience in leading the tarawih (nightly-Ramadan) prayers at his local mosque. Year after year he would continue this unique return to reciting the entire Quran in one blessed month both in his homeland, the UK, and also in the blessed lands of Shaam, where he now lives, studies and teaches.

How to Deal with Baseless Misgivings and How to Study at SeekersGuidance

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Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam
Question: Asalaamu Alaikum
I have 2 questions in regards to courses offered at SeekersGuidance.
1. I am currently enrolled in the Islamic Law for Seekers Course part -1. I have a tendency to have waswasa (baseless misgivings) when it comes to matters of cleanliness in istinja, wudu, ghusl etc. Through gaining knowledge from reading the answers on qiblah answers and your website, and consulting with my local Imam, Alhemdulilah I have been able to overcome waswasa to a great extent. However, I am prone to being meticulous when it comes to cleanliness. Based on my situation, would it still be beneficial for me to take this course as it covers the topics of purification, impure water etc? Will it help me in fighting my remaining waswasa or could it lead me into getting into more waswasa regarding these matters?
2. This is the very first time, I have signed up on seekers guidance and I do not know what the course load will be like. I still want to enrol in “The Marvels of the Heart” course, but I am not sure if I’ll be able to handle it. Typically how long are lectures? And can you please tell me when is the next time this course will be offered? This way I can decide if I should enrol in it now or wait until the next one.
Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,
I pray this reaches you in the best of health and faith, insha’Allah.
(1) Knowledge empowers when taken and subsequently applied in the right way. You’ll benefit from the class if you listen attentively, ask any relevant questions, and then act on the knowledge as instructed. The sunna in matters of purification is to leave caution– but this understanding is learnt from Prophetic inheritors, not simply applied as per one’s whims.
(2) Do what you can reasonably sustain. Study step by step; a little taken and absorbed is far superior to much ignored. The sunna is to be gradual and consistent.
May Allah grant you every success in this world and the Next.
And Allah alone gives success.
wassalam,
Tabraze Azam
Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani

Part of My Nose Is Always Dry After Wudu

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Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: I have a big problem when it comes to rinsing my nose out for wudu and ghusl. I rinse it out but then I always find the bottom corner of my left nostril is always dry. I therefore end up rinsing my nose out over and over again to try and get it wet. What should I do? Also if we have doubts we did a step during wudu/ghusl such as make intention should we ignore the doubt and carry on?

 

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I pray that you are well, insha’Allah.

If you pour water over your face, making sure to rub and cover the whole area, you would have washed your face. You are not expected to examine the area after washing. Looking “dry” is of no consequence, and washing the area repeatedly is not from the sunna. Say the ta`awwudh and basmala before you begin, and Ignore any doubts that may occur to you.

Secondly, the default assumption is that one performed the action (wudu in this case) validly and soundly. If you have a doubt, ignore it unless there are obvious signs to the contrary. As for the intention, it is almost invariably present. Most would respond to the question, “What are you doing?” with “wudu”.

And Allah alone gives success.

Wassalam,

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani

Related Answers:

What Do I Do If My Wudu Is Taking Me 45 Minutes?

Advice for Sufferers of Extreme Waswasa or OCD in Issues of Purification

A Reader on Waswasa (Baseless Misgivings)