Fatwa ID: 05101

Answered by: Maulana Shadman Ahmed

Question

I have been suffering from OCD since last year I have been able to overcome most of the things but some things I still obsess over

It takes me 2-3 hrs to remove makeup especially mascara I use earbuds to remove it but as a result, my eyes turn red and swollen but it is not removed I am so much tired of it due to this I always get late to take ghusl my mascara is not waterproof someone asked me to just remove using a cotton pad and cleanser and not to rub eyes with cotton earbuds but whenever I do clean with earbuds pinhead size mascara comes off and I always end up making my eyes swell and totally red they hurt.it makes me so much nervous that I am being sinful and my ghusl is not valid and Allah will not forgive me for this.

I do not know what to do and how to stop my self please help me so I can overcome this and continue my prayers without hardship.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

May Allah, the Highest, reward you for your efforts and struggle in following His Deen. We highly recommend seeking medical advice from a doctor in regard to controlling and overcoming your OCD. Allah, the Highest, says in Surah Baqarah ayat 286,

“Allah does not obligate anyone beyond his capacity.”

Every struggle we are faced with can be overcome.

As for your mascara/make-up removal, the best advice is:

1. To NOT use cotton swabs rather use cotton pads with a cleanser.
2. If you think that will not work with your OCD then remember that you are using mascara that is not watertight, which means when you rub it in the shower the mascara allows water to reach the skin. That means with mascara that is not watertight then you can make ghusl and wudu with them.
3. If your mascara is watertight and you feel you’re going to be wasting time cleaning through your OCD then it might be better to avoid mascara or makeup altogether. So that way you won’t be bothered by the cleaning and waiting.

We pray that Allah, the Highest, makes matters easy for you. Ameen.

Only Allah knows best

Written by Maulana Shadman Ahmed

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham