Wudhu

• Q1 - I am always in a state of doubt concerning the validity of my prayer, wudhu and ghusl. It can take me up to an hour to do ghusl, prayer and about twenty minutes for wudhu. Should I ignore my doubts? 

  A - Wa alaikum salam. May Allah bless you and your family. Yes someone who is katheer ash-shak (doubts a lot, multiple times in one action) should ignore their doubts until they can perform the actions normally without doubt.
  
  
  Tip for conserving water and using it wisely and get rid of doubt: Ghusl should take a total of 5 minutes or less. In the first minute or two, pour water over the body and then for a few minutes wash it. For a minute or two use, use water to rinse off the soap and make an intention for ghusl. Take a minute to rinse your head and neck, one minute for the right side and one minute for the left side. Use a clock in the beginning to track the time so you can improve as you progress. This will help you get rid of your doubt (shakk).

  
  
  

  MoulanaOnline Aalim Team

• Q2 - Is oil a barrier for Wudhu? Sistani says cream is not, but I do not believe he mentions oil. 

  A - Anything that keeps water from penetrating is a barrier. If you are doubtful if something is a barrier you must remove it.

  
  
  

  MoulanaOnline Aalim Team

• Q3 - I have a problem that I have a few drops of urine that comes out after I go to the toilet and it comes out for half and hour. Even though it is a few drops, I have tried putting napkin in my underwear but it also gets wet. This is causing issues for me in terms of tahara. How often do I have to do wudu and clean myself? 

  A - If you know that it only comes up to half hour after you use the bathroom, wait half hour, make yourself tahir and then make wudhu and pray. If it is constantly coming out, make yourself tahir, make wudhu, pray salaah and repeat for each salaah. You do not have to stay tahir the entire day, only the times you are praying.

  
  
  

  MoulanaOnline Aalim Team

• Q4 - The other night I did wudhu and immediately after I passed gas (farted). The smell stayed around me for about 1 minute, but I did wudhu 20 seconds after I passed gas. Is my wudhu still ok if I do it while the smell still surrounds me? 

  A - The smell of gas does not invalidate wudhu.

  
  
  

  MoulanaOnline Aalim Team