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Fatwa CenterWaswaas about validity of Ghusl
Question
Assalaamu alaykum. Sir, I am a 38-year-old woman who suffers from OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) regarding matters of purity, especially Istinjaa’ (cleaning oneself with water after answering the call of nature), and I also have doubts regarding urinary incontinence (I have written to you previously, and may Allah reward you for your replies). This time, my question is that because of my OCD, I usually take 4 to 6 hours to perform Ghusl (ritual shower) (satanic whisperings probably trouble me a lot) and I am suffering from anxiety and depression because of this. Due to this, I oftentimes delay performing Ghusl by 1or 2 days after my menses. And then I try to repent to Allah, the Exalted, but this happens every month. I cannot gather up enough courage to fight against the devil and perform Ghusl at the right time. My question is: am I allowed this much ease in delaying Ghusl because of my disease until Allah, the Exalted, cures me? Please note that I try to make up for those prayers which I miss due to the delay in Ghusl. May Allah reward you.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ʻalayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
We ask Allah to bless you with recovery and well-being. You should know that it is impermissible to delay Ghusl after verifying that your menses have ended. This means that you are surrendering to Waswaas (devilish whisperings/obsessive doubts) and are getting carried away with it. What you should do is resist this Waswaas and not let it overpower you.
As soon as your menses end, perform Ghusl immediately. This does not take more than a few minutes. It is enough that you stand under the shower until the water reaches all parts of your body. It is also enough that you believe that water has most likely reached your entire body, and you do not need to be absolutely certain that it did. When you have done that, immediately get out of the shower and perform your prayer, no matter how much the devil whispers to you that your Ghusl was invalid. You should know that there is no remedy for Waswaas except ignoring it and paying no attention to it whatsoever.
Allah knows best.
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