Performing ablution while having dry skin in winter

6-2-2011 | IslamWeb

Question:

dear brothers, regarding fatwa no 126745, I have a similar query. There you have mentioned about dead skin that separates from the living skin must be removed. In winter, I usually see some dry skin coming off my hands and feet and sometimes they can be scraped for removal. I do so thinking that their presence may invalidate my wudu/ghusl. What is your opinion about it? Can this skin be considered as dead skin?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

The dry skin is something usual in winter and it may peel off. So, it is not an obligation to remove the skin just because it is dry as it might be live skin and the person may be harmed by removing it. Indeed, Allaah did not ordain us to do so.

On the other hand, it is an obligation to remove the dead skin that covers a live skin if the person is not harmed by removing it and if washing what is under it is possible only by removing it.

Finally, we advise you, brother, to fear Allaah and avoid whispers about purity and skin, as you have asked so many questions about the same subject and this can only be due to the whispers of the devil so that it causes you embarrassment, hardship and harm.

Allaah Knows best.