Filth that is excused

Question: In the Shafi’i school, is there any amount of filth that is by default overlooked in prayer?

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

No, in the Shafi’i school, no filth amount is by default overlooked in an absolute sense. We do not say that a speck or a certain fraction of one’s clothes may have filth on it. Rather we say that any filth that is difficult to avoid regularly given one’s circumstances is overlooked. (Bushra al-Karim, Ba ‘Ishn)

The possibility or even likelihood of having urine on one should be completely ignored. There is no need to go looking for it or wash it unless one is 100% certain that it has come out.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) told us that when thoughts like this come to one that we should ascribe them to the Devil and tell him in our hearts that he is a liar. (Ahmad, Ibn Hibban, and others)

Also, if you are genuinely suffering from OCD, I personally advise you to seek clinical help. You are not insane or “weird.” You have a problem that can and will go away with the help of Allah.

Please also see:
https://seekers.flywheelstaging.com/answers/hanafi-fiqh/key-principles-relating-to-certainty-doubt-and-baseless-misgivings-waswasa/
https://seekers.flywheelstaging.com/answers/shafii-fiqh/how-can-i-end-urine-drops-quickly-shafii/
I pray this helps.

[Ustadh] Farid

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Farid Dingle has completed extensive years of study in the sciences of the Arabic language and the various Islamic Sciences. During his studies, he also earned a CIFE Certificate in Islamic Finance. Over the years, he has developed a masterful ability to craft lessons that help non-Arabic speakers gain a deep understanding of the language. He currently teaches courses in the Arabic Language.