Fatwa ID: 06762

Answered by: Maulana Abdul Malik

Question:

The cream ‘oilatum’ which I use acts as a layer and does not absorb into the skin. However, it washes off. I thoroughly wash the skin during ghusl and wudu.

According to the above explanation, my ghusl and wudu would be valid?

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

Answer:

For wudu and ghusl to be valid, it is required to remove anything that serves as a barrier and stops water from accessing the parts of the skin that need to be washed.

It is necessary that no part of the limbs which are necessary to be washed remains dry after washing. Therefore, anything which prevents water from reaching directly to the skin must be removed before making wudu. (Hashiyat Tahtaawi ala Maraqi al Falah, pg 61/62)[1]

In light of the above, the wudu and ghusl will be valid as long as the cream that prevents water from reaching the skin is completely removed and the water contacts the skin directly.

In conclusion, the wudu and ghusl will be valid if the cream is thoroughly washed from the skin before making wudu or ghusl. The wudu and ghusl will be valid even though the skin feels smooth and slippery.

[1] وشرط صحته) أي الوضوء (ثلاثة) الأول: (عموم البشرة بالماء الطهور) حتى لو بقي مقدار مغرز إبرة لم يصبه الماء من المفروض غسله لم يصح الوضوء

والثالث (زوال ما يمنع وصول الماء إلى الجسد) لحرمة الحائل (كشمع وشحم) قيد به لأن بقاء دسومة الزيت ونحوه لا يمنع لعدم الحائل وترجع الثلاثة لواحد هو عموم المطهر شرعا البشرة

Only Allah (عز و جل) knows best.

Written by Maulana Abdul Malik

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham