Fatwa ID: 07062
Answered by: Mufti Mohammed Dilwar Hussain
Question:
I have many questions and I beg that you have the patience to read it all and give me a detailed answer. I have suffered from a great deal of waswas for the past 2 years. This Ramadan it became almost unbearable. I have doubts about everything; wudu, salah, ghusl, purity, wet dreams and validity of my fasts. I am making up 10 fasts after Ramadan because of these doubts.
Recently I developed doubts about wet dreams since I learned you are required to do ghusl after you wake up. I have only had a wet dream thrice I think. But now I am terrified of sleeping in the mornings and afternoons because this is when I have dreams the most and I fear I may have one. Ghusl takes a lot of time for me and exhausts me so I don’t want to have to do it everyday (as I’ve been doing for the past week).
When I wake up from a nap I try to remember and go through every dream I had but because I can’t really remember everything clearly I start to think maybe I had one but I can’t remember.
I made research about it and learnt you have to make ghusl when you experience orgasm and emit maniy. The thing is maniy is described as being thin and yellow or white in women now the thing is women have normal vaginal discharge which is thin and white or colorless so it is hard for me to identify (coupled with the fact that I don’t think I’ve had an orgasm before so I don’t know what it looks like or whether it could come in excess or little) and note that the female area almost always has some wetness in it.
I could wake from sleep very certain that I didn’t have a dream and there would be some wetness there. So I want to know:
1. If I wake up from sleep and there is wetness in the vaginal area but I’m not sure I had a wet dream do I have to make ghusl? (This could be everyday or every time I sleep so it would be very hard for me). Could excess discharge be classified as maniy?(sometimes we get excess discharge during ovulation also)Could you tell me something that when I see it I would be certain it is maniy and I will have to perform ghusl?
2. Do I have to check myself every time I wake up? What if I forget to check and I later see a little discharge? Do I have to see maniy and remember an orgasm to perform ghusl?
3. Few days ago I didn’t sleep in the morning because I didn’t want to have a dream but I dozed off for about 30 minutes or so because I was tired. I can’t remember having a dream and I can’t remember whether I checked for a discharge either.
Later in the afternoon I took a nap and I had a dream where I received a text from my suitor. I can’t remember the content of the text and I can’t remember having an orgasm. When I woke up I checked but now I can’t remember whether there was a discharge or not (maybe there was a little) but I didn’t perform ghusl because I promised myself that I would ignore these doubts unless I was certain I had a wet dream.
Now I am starting to doubt and think I should’ve just performed ghusl to be sure. Should I have performed ghusl? Are my prayers and fasts valid?
4.If I have a dream holding hands with a person i like does it count as a wet dream?
5. Yesterday had a dream holding hands with a guy I like, when I woke up I checked my area and it was dry. I urinated and went back to sleep, woke up a second time and checked and it was dry.
Before leaving the toilet however I sneezed and felt wetness coming out (happens to me sometimes) and checked and there was a thin and colorless discharge. I didn’t perform ghusl as I assumed it came out because of the sneeze. And also I am starting to doubt whether I saw the dream in my first or second dream but I have more probability that it is the first. Should I have performed ghusl and are my prayers and fast valid?
6. When fasting on some days I always feel this small particle or something in my throat or at the edge of my mouth. I try to spit it out but nothing comes out. I swallow it down and later it comes back up.
I don’t want to force it out as I don’t want to risk vomiting. I also feel this thing sometimes after iftar when I have eaten. Does it invalidate my fast? Note that it has happened on some other days not just one and I don’t know how to get rid of it so do I need to make up all those days?
7. Does killing an ant or cockroach invalidate my fast?
8. Does inhaling flour while sifting it or steam while cooking iftar break the fast? It is quite hard to avoid.
9. I know I’m not supposed to cut my prayers for doubt about passing wind unless I hear a sound or a smell but now this has made me to start imagining smells. I would be praying and I would start sniffing around because I suspect I smelt a whiff of something. This makes it hard for me to distinguish what is real and what is not? What should I do about this?
10. I know the cure to waswas is to avoid repeating the act but when I have doubts about something and I don’t repeat it I have this high anxiety and I can’t stop thinking about it until I succumb or I am able to endure it. Is this normal? Am I not supposed to feel at ease for ignoring it?
11. Since I am supposed to ignore what if I make an actual mistake . Like I cleanse myself after the toilet or I think I cleaned my nose during wudu and I ignore the doubt but I actually didn’t. Will Allah forgive me for it?
12. If while spraying a deodorant spray ( which has white vapor) I swallow it even after being careful not to does it invalidate my fast?
13. If during Ramadan the devils are chained up why then has my waswas become more intense. Does it have something to do with me?
14. I say my Iqamah and Takbiratul ihram out loud for every prayer and also fatiha and surah even for zuhr and asr which is supposed to be silent. I have tried to do it silently but if I don’t hear it myself I am unable to pray. Is my prayer when I do this valid?
15. With all these doubts I’ve been getting do you think my fasts are still valid? I have been thinking that after getting better from this waswas I should makeup this whole month of Ramadan again because it has been ridden with doubts for me. Should I do that or should I hope that Allah will accept the fasts I am sure of?
Please answer all the questions in a clear way for me. I am really in a bad state. My head is overwhelmed with thoughts and confusion and I can’t seem to keep my focus on anything. I feel like I’m going crazy and I don’t know what to do.
In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Allāh Ta’ālā has reminded us, that He will test us to check our fortitude and resolve in Allāh Ta’ālā.
“Do the people think that they will be left to say, “We believe” and they will not be put to test?” [Surah al-‘Ankabut; 29:2] [1]
“We shall surely test you with fear and hunger, loss of property, lives and crops; but give glad tidings to those who have fortitude. Who, when struck by misfortune, says: ‘We belong to Allāh, and surely to Him we shall return.’” [Surah al-Baqarah; 2:155-156] [2]
“He Who created Death and Life, that He may test which of you is best in worship: and He is the Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving.” [Surah al-Mulk; 67:2] [3]
However, regardless of whatever difficulties we are going through we should not become despondent in the mercy of Allāh. Allāh Ta’ālā forgives all sins (big or small). [Surah az-Zumar; 39:53] [4]
Allāh Ta’ālā reminds us that He does not burden us with any trial greater than that which we can bare. [Surah al-Baqarah; 2:286] [5]
Whatever troubles you are going through, Allāh Ta’ālā has specifically chosen to test you with these because Allāh Ta’ālā knows that you can handle it and through this hardship, Allāh Ta’ālā wants to give you this opportunity to turn back to Him and draw nearer to Him.
Allāh Ta’ālā says that with every hardship comes two periods of ease. [Surah al-Sharh; 94:5-6] [6]
The Prophet ﷺ has further reiterated, “no calamity befalls a Muslim but Allāh expiates some of his sins because of it…” [Sahih al-Bukhārī; Hadith 5640] [7]
Answer to Questions One to Five (Q1-5)
The sexual discharge of women is different to that of men and so is the ruling for women.
First of all, it is important to understand the varying types of discharge. There are different types of vaginal discharge.
A white, clear, watery or stretchy discharge which is thin and less in quantity with a mild odour would be considered to be paak and clean. It will not be considered as being part of a woman’s Haidh (periods).
Whereas a yellow, green, brown or bloody discharge which is strong in odour and thick in texture would be impure. Such discharge would require cleaning and will break the wudhu.
Discharge from the outer or inner private part would be considered to be clean. However, any discharge from womb is considered to be impure. [Al-Bināyah Sharh ul-Hidāyah; vol 1, pg 623-627] [8]
It is quoted that women used to send little boxes to Umm ul-Mu’mimeen Ā’ishah RA, with a piece of cotton cloth in each one on which was yellowness from menstrual blood, asking her about the prayer. She said to them: “Do not be hasty until you see a white discharge.” By that she meant purity from menses. [Muwatta’ Imām Mālik; Hadith 129] [9]
Any discharge of colour (spotting or continuous) can be considered to be that of Haidh if the following conditions are also found even if one is on birth control pills; it is preceded by at least 15 days of purity and it lasts for between 3-10 days. If this is the case then the rulings of one in Haidh must be adhered to.
Any discharge which lasts for a period less than this or beyond this would be considered irregular and fall under the rulings of Istihāda. Thus, if it lasts for less than this then the rituals of Hajj can still be carried out and any missed Salah would need to be made Qadhā of.
However, if the days exceed this, then one would need to look at their own habit and count that amount. In your case it is the full 10 days. Any bleeding beyond this is considered to be that of Istihāda and should not be accounted for.
If bleeding does begin as per your habit, even if it is only spotting, then that would be considered to be that of Haidh.
Specifically, in regards to wet dreams, any discharge would have to be coupled with a dream which is predominantly of a sexually intimate nature. If it is not, then any discharge which is clear or white would be considered to be that of a habitual nature and not a sexual discharge. This should just be washed away and cleaned. If the dream is predominantly of a sexual nature then the discharge would be considered to be that of a sexual nature making Ghusl compulsory.
Shaitān plays with our minds, creating doubt. As much as possible we must attempt to disregard and discredit any evil or impure thoughts. The safest option is to always check after waking up and follow the guidelines above.
Answer to Question Six (Q6)
A general rule of thumb is that; whatever exits the body will break Wudhu and whatever enters the body will break the fast.
A fast breaks for three reasons; eating, drinking and intercourse. If you feel something is stuck in your throat then do not force it to come out. If it comes out of its own accord then spit it out. If it does not come out, then do not compel yourself to get it out. [Radd al-Muhtār: vol. 3, pg. 365] [10]
Answer to Question (Q7)
All life is sacred and to kill any animal without right is sinful. If the animal is harming you then allowance is there to some extent otherwise animals should be left alone. As above, fasts only break for those reasons.
Answer to Question Eight (Q8)
The condition with fasting is that it has to be something which nourishes the body by reaching the stomach or captivates the brain. It must also enter through one of the naturally open bodily passages to nullify the fast. [Radd ul-Muhtār: vol. 2, pg. 410] [11]
Inhaling grains of flour or steam does not do this. However, this should not be done so deliberately.
Answer to Question Nine (Q9)
As you have correctly stated you need to have heard it and smelt it. If you think that you have smelt it but did not hear anything then you should carrying on praying.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “One should not leave his prayer unless he hears sound or smells something.” [Sahīh al-Bukhārī: Hadith 177] [12]
Answer to Question Ten (Q10)
This is the shaitān playing with your mind, creating doubts to limit the good actions you are doing. You should not give any consideration to these thoughts. The more you force yourself to ignore them, the harder it will become until eventually shaitān will give up and then it will become easier. You will need to persevere through these doubts.
Answer to Question Eleven (Q11)
At the time of cleansing, you must take the necessary precautions after which you can spray your clothes with additional water to reduce the doubt in your mind. So, when you see the marks on your clothes you will know that they are water and not impurities. This should help in this endeavour.
Due to the potential difficulty that this may cause, a slight allowance has been provided. This allowance is what you have enquired about. It must be emphasised, that even with this allowance being there, the preferred and recommended step is to wash away the impurities. If drops of urine still persist after all of these measures have been taken then; if the amount of urine exiting is below the size of a Dirham then it will be Makrooh to perform Salah in this state but the Salah will be complete. Anything in excess of this amount will nullify one’s Salah and cleaning/washing will be required before the Salah is performed.
Dirham and Dinar were the currency of the time. They were gold and silver coins. The approximate equivalent to a Dirham today would be a 50p coin. Coins of that time were not like the coins of today, where every coin is minted in an identical manner to the next. Coins use to vary in size, thickness, purity and etc. Hence, there are slight variations in the sizes. Thus, the 50p coin is a sufficient equivalent for us to base this amount on.
The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said, “When any of you goes to relieve himself, he should take with him three stones to cleans himself, for they will be enough for him.” [Sunan Abi Dāwūd; Hadith 40] [13]
From this narration we understand that the use of water is not compulsory. However, it is the most preferred method as it is the best way to remove the impurities after one has had a bowel movement or urinated. Excluding many other factors, this Hadith implies that the use of three stones alone is sufficient to consider oneself clean and whatever dirt remains would be disregarded.
The value of the dirham and what is below it of heavy Najāsa (impurities); such as blood, urine, wine, chicken droppings, and donkey urine- it is permissible to pray with them, and if it exceeds this amount, then it is not permissible to pray with them. [Al-Hidāyah; volume 1, page 71] [14]
Answer to Question Twelve (Q12)
Yes, the fast will break based on the evidence given in the answer to Question Eight.
Answer to Question Thirteen (Q13)
The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said: “When the first night of Ramadhān comes, the shaitān and mischievous jinns are chained up, and the gates of the Fire are closed, and none of its gates are opened. The gates of Paradise are opened and none of its gates are closed. And a caller cries out: ‘O seeker of good, proceed, O seeker of evil, stop.’ And Allāh has necks (people) whom He frees (from the Fire), and that happens every day.” [Sunan Ibn Mājah: Hadith 1642] [15]
For eleven months of the year shaitān plays his tricks on us and entices us towards sins. However, in the month of Ramadhān, when shaitān is locked up, the effects of those previous eleven months remain within us. So, even though shaitān may be locked up the evil effects of his work still remains within us. Thus, some people are still unable to refrain from sin even during the blessed month of Ramadhān.
Answer to Question Fourteen (Q14)
The Iqāmah is only for congregational prayers and not for women to call. The Salah is valid. However, this is not the correct method and endeavours must be made to perform Salah in the correct manner. You are only permitted to read loud enough that you can hear yourself. You must not recite louder than that.
Answer to Question Fifteen (Q15)
Based on what you have said, it is difficult to make that determination. You should follow all of the advice provided and make Dua to Allāh Ta’ālā for HIS asstastance.
If fasts, truly do need to be made then they should be completed as Qadhā.
}[1]أَحَسِبَ ٱلنَّاسُ أَن يُتۡرَكُوٓاْ أَن يَقُولُوٓاْ ءَامَنَّا وَهُمۡ لَا يُفۡتَنُونَ{
}[2]وَلَنَبۡلُوَنَّكُم بِشَیۡءࣲ مِّنَ ٱلۡخَوۡفِ وَٱلۡجُوعِ وَنَقۡصࣲ مِّنَ ٱلۡأَمۡوَ لِ وَٱلۡأَنفُسِ وَٱلثَّمَرَ تِۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِینَ. ٱلَّذِینَ إِذَاۤ أَصَـٰبَتۡهُم مُّصِیبَةࣱ قَالُوۤا۟ إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّاۤ إِلَیۡهِ رَ جِعُونَ{
}[3]ٱلَّذِی خَلَقَ ٱلۡمَوۡتَ وَٱلۡحَیَوٰةَ لِیَبۡلُوَكُمۡ أَیُّكُمۡ أَحۡسَنُ عَمَلࣰاۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَزِیزُ ٱلۡغَفُورُ {
}[4]قُلۡ یَـٰعِبَادِیَ ٱلَّذِینَ أَسۡرَفُوا۟ عَلَىٰۤ أَنفُسِهِمۡ لَا تَقۡنَطُوا۟ مِن رَّحۡمَةِ ٱللَّهِۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ یَغۡفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِیعًاۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِیمُ {
}[5]لَا یُكَلِّفُ ٱللَّهُ نَفۡسًا إِلَّا وُسۡعَهَاۚ {
}[6]فَإِنَّ مَعَ ٱلۡعُسۡرِ یُسۡرًا. إِنَّ مَعَ ٱلۡعُسۡرِ یُسۡرࣰا {
[7]حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْيَمَانِ الْحَكَمُ بْنُ نَافِعٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا شُعَيْبٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي عُرْوَةُ بْنُ الزُّبَيْرِ، أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ زَوْجَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَتْ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ مَا مِنْ مُصِيبَةٍ تُصِيبُ الْمُسْلِمَ إِلاَّ كَفَّرَ اللَّهُ بِهَا عَنْهُ، حَتَّى الشَّوْكَةِ يُشَاكُهَا “.
[8]وما تراه المرأة من الحمرة الصفرة والكدرة حيض حتى ترى البياض خالصا
)حتى ترى البياض خالصا( كلمة حتى الغاية والمعنى أنها تراه الحائض من الألوان المذكورة في أيام الحيض حيض إلى ترى البياض خالصا على أنه حال من البياض.
[9]حَدَّثَنِي يَحْيَى، عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ عَلْقَمَةَ بْنِ أَبِي عَلْقَمَةَ، عَنْ أُمِّهِ، مَوْلاَةِ عَائِشَةَ أُمِّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَنَّهَا قَالَتْ كَانَ النِّسَاءُ يَبْعَثْنَ إِلَى عَائِشَةَ أُمِّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ بِالدِّرَجَةِ فِيهَا الْكُرْسُفُ فِيهِ الصُّفْرَةُ مِنْ دَمِ الْحَيْضَةِ يَسْأَلْنَهَا عَنِ الصَّلاَةِ فَتَقُولُ لَهُنَّ لاَ تَعْجَلْنَ حَتَّى تَرَيْنَ الْقَصَّةَ الْبَيْضَاءَ . تُرِيدُ بِذَلِكَ الطُّهْرَ مِنَ الْحَيْضَةِ .
[10]الفساد والبطلان في العبادات سيان “إذا أكل الصائم أو شرب أو جامع” حال كونه “ناسيا” في الفرض والنفل قبل النية أو بعدها على الصحيح.
[11](أو دواء) ما يتداوى به والضابط وصول ما فيه صلاح بدنه لجوفه
[12]حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْوَلِيدِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ عَبَّادِ بْنِ تَمِيمٍ، عَنْ عَمِّهِ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ “ لاَ يَنْصَرِفْ حَتَّى يَسْمَعَ صَوْتًا أَوْ يَجِدَ رِيحًا “.
[13]حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدُ بْنُ مَنْصُورٍ، وَقُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا يَعْقُوبُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ أَبِي حَازِمٍ، عَنْ مُسْلِمِ بْنِ قُرْطٍ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ “ إِذَا ذَهَبَ أَحَدُكُمْ إِلَى الْغَائِطِ فَلْيَذْهَبْ مَعَهُ بِثَلاَثَةِ أَحْجَارٍ يَسْتَطِيبُ بِهِنَّ فَإِنَّهَا تُجْزِئُ عَنْهُ “ .
[14]وقدر الدرهم وما دونه من النجس المغلظ كالدم والبول والخمر وخرء الدجاج وبول الحمار، جازت الصلاة معه، وإن زاد لم تجز.
[15]حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو كُرَيْبٍ، مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْعَلاَءِ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ عَيَّاشٍ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ قَالَ: “ إِذَا كَانَتْ أَوَّلُ لَيْلَةٍ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ صُفِّدَتِ الشَّيَاطِينُ وَمَرَدَةُ الْجِنِّ وَغُلِّقَتْ أَبْوَابُ النَّارِ فَلَمْ يُفْتَحْ مِنْهَا بَابٌ. وَفُتِحَتْ أَبْوَابُ الْجَنَّةِ فَلَمْ يُغْلَقْ مِنْهَا بَابٌ. وَنَادَى مُنَادٍ: يَا بَاغِيَ الْخَيْرِ أَقْبِلْ. وَيَا بَاغِيَ الشَّرِّ أَقْصِرْ. وَلِلَّهِ عُتَقَاءُ مِنَ النَّارِ. وَذَلِكَ فِي كُلِّ لَيْلَةٍ “ .
Only Allāh Ta’ālā knows best.
Written by Mufti Mohammed Dilwar Hussain
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
