Will My Nail Fungal Treatment Prevent Me to Perform a Valid Wudu?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalam alaikum

I have Nail Fungal. I been given a treatment which requires putting a solution on my nail and repeating it every 7 days. I do not think water will not be able to get to my nails. I do have an option to take tablets but they can have other long term effects.

Will my Wudu be valid?

Answer:Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,

Yes, you can use the medicine prescribed to you by your doctor, and your ritual ablution (wudu) will remain valid. The basis is that if you apply some ointment or the like to a damaged area which needs to be washed, then the washing is deemed sound if you [actually continue to] wash over the area. This is on condition that doing so doesn’t cause further harm (n.b. there are different rulings applicable in this case, available upon request.) Hence practically, you would perform the wudu whilst ensuring to pour water over the toenails, as you normally would.

[Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah with Tahtawi’s Gloss]

Please also see: Does “halal” nail polish affect the validity of wudu?

And Allah Most High alone knows best.

wassalam,
[Ustadh] Tabraze Azam

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Tabraze Azam was born and raised in Ipswich, England, a quiet town close to the east coast of England. His journey for seeking sacred knowledge began when he privately memorized the entire Qur’an in his hometown at the age of 16. He also had his first experience in leading the tarawih (nightly-Ramadan) prayers at his local mosque. Year after year he would continue this unique return to reciting the entire Quran in one blessed month both in his homeland, the UK, and also in the blessed lands of Shaam, where he now lives, studies and teaches.