Fatwa ID: 08529

Answered by: Maulana Abdurrahman Mohammad

Question:

I have bowel problems that I haven’t consulted a doctor for. I think I have an internal haemorrhoid and this makes istinja difficult. Nonetheless, I manage to make sure I am 100% clean after a bowel movement. However, sometimes I have doubts if I’m 100% clean after istinja and I check a few hours/a day later and there is brown pigment which smells bad on the toilet paper. I am not sure if it is faeces, mucus or just general dirt from the area that isn’t impure. I am cautious so I clean it. Sometimes I get a pain/itch and I check and I am clean. Other times I get the same feeling and there is something. I have no idea when this brown substance comes out as it is not on my underwear and therefore the only way I come to know is through inserting a toilet tissue in that area to see if I am clean. My question is do I have to check to see if I am clean every salah or every day. Will I be correct to ignore all doubts and to not check this area until my next bowel movement as that is when I need to do istinja.

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

Answer:

Islam is a religion of cleanliness and purity and at the same time it is a religion of moderation and ease. You are suffering from religious OCD (obsessive doubts) and should try your best to seek knowledge and not give into these doubts. The principle of  “Certainty is not removed by doubt” (Al-Yaqeenu Lā Yazoolu Bish Shakk) applies in your situation. As long as you wash properly and are pretty sure that the impurity is gone (you don’t see or feel traces of impurity while washing), you can assume you are pure. What you are seeing is the impurity that remains inside of the anus (Makhraj) which comes onto the tissue by pressing too hard. Impurity inside the body does not impact Tahārah. If the impurity is outside the anus (Makhraj) or on the body, you would see it on your underwear, which you had mentioned you don’t. Sometimes you may feel an itch or think that something is in your anus, but it’s likely just irritated hemorrhoids or doubts (Waswasah). Therefore, it is safe to assume purity and ignore these doubts.

Only Allah (عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ) knows best.

Written by Maulana Abdurrahman Mohammad

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham