How Should I Deal with Baseless Misgivings about Purity?

I entered a state about ten days ago that required me to perform ghusl so I did it the following day. However, because of my urine/discharge issue and my doubts, I planned to repeat the ghusl because I was dissatisfied. But for the next week, I took regular baths instead of ghusl because I was so involved in this that I didn’t want to perform ghusl. What if a woman can’t decide whether her discharge is normal, arousal fluid, urine, or simply water that comes out after she washes after urination? I occasionally feel a drop exit while I pray and it could be either water or urine. Then I become confused. What should I do?

Thank you for your question. Alhamdulillah, I am very relieved that the previous answer was useful. I see that you have more questions about purification, and I recommend that you keep things easy and simple for yourself.

Religion is easy

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Indeed, this religion is easy, and no one will ever overburden himself in religion, except that it will overcome him. So seek what is appropriate, come as close as you can, receive the glad tidings (that you will be rewarded), and take it easy; and gain strength by worshipping in the mornings, afternoons, and during the last hours of the nights.” [Nasa’i]

Taking an obligatory (fard) ghusl twice is not necessary and is the result of baseless misgivings (waswas). Once you had taken that first ghusl, you should not be distracted or disturbed by urine or discharge problems. Those things only require washing the area and performing a new ablution (wudu). If you had intended to take another ritual bath (ghusl) that week, the intention was of no consequence and does not necessitate the ghusl. If, in the future, you find that you are in a state of major ritual impurity (janaba) and your period starts, one ritual bath when your period is over, suffices for both.

See the details here:

I believe that you also have a case of baseless misgivings when dealing with your urine and discharge. If you have washed after urinating and dried well, you can ignore anything that you feel while you are walking or bending over. If you do feel something, assume that it is pure water that didn’t dry. Certainty is not removed by doubt, and you are certain that you washed (istinja’) in the bathroom.

When you wash in the bathroom, don’t be excessive. It seems to me that too much water is being used. Water should not be entering the vagina when you wash, rather, water should only be flowing over what is visible when you squat. Make your ablution (wudu) after you have cleaned yourself and don’t worry about any emissions or drops after that.

If you want to make an ablution (wudu) after having gone to the toilet an hour before, just make the ablution. There is no reason to wash on the toilet first.

Once again, if you have cleaned properly after using the toilet, you must not assume that urine is exiting during the shower. Begin your ghusl and end it quickly. Don’t assume it was invalidated in between.

Making wudu before you begin is a sunna, if you don’t make a wudu during, before or after your ghusl at all, your ghusl will still be valid.

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If you feel anything exit during your sajdah, you can ignore it. It is very common among women to feel something emit, and find nothing is there at all when she checks. Once you have washed and dried well, assume yourself pure until you go to the bathroom again.

No, the emission of arousal fluid during the ghusl does not invalidate it. Just continue with your ghusl and make ablution (wudu) at the end.

May Allah give you tawfiq in your worship. Remember, keep things simple and remember that religion (deen) is easy. Allah says, “(…) Allah intends ease for you, not hardship, so that you may complete the prescribed period and proclaim the greatness of Allah for guiding you, and perhaps you will be grateful.” [Quran, 2:185]

Also, “Verily there has come unto you a Messenger from amongst yourselves, it grieves him that you should suffer any difficulty, he is anxious for you, for the believers, he is full of pity and merciful.” [Quran, 10:128]

The Prophet, may Allah bless him and give him peace, said, “The best of your religion, is the easiest.” [Ahmad]

May Allah give you the best of this world and the next.
[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria for two years where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Masters in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.