Uncertainty Regarding the Validity of Ghusl and My Testimony of Faith (Shahada)
Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam
Question: I am really confused about how to perform ghusl and wudu. I spend almost an hour on both of these. I especially dread making ghusl because I know it will take me a long time and even afterwards I feel so unsure that I end up not praying.
I have recently started performing ghusl in parts to make it easier. So One day I will wash certain parts of the body, and the next day the remaining parts of the body. Doing it this way I complete my ghusl in 2-3 days. I know this is wrong as it means I miss prayers but I can’t seem to do it any other way. Am I correct in believing that If I spread my ghusl out so I complete it in parts over numerous days, it is still valid as ghusl does not have to be performed in one sitting?
On top of this I recently discovered that I have been saying the shahada wrong for some years. Instead of saying ‘Laillaha ilAllah Muhammadur rasool Allah’. I have been saying Laillahha ilAllah-ho Muhammadun rasool Allah’. But every time I recited it I would also recite it in English as well as Arabic, by saying ‘there is no God but Allah and the Prophet (pbuh) is his Messenger after the Arabic. Do I need to retake my Shahada? I have been extremely worried I’m no longer Muslim because of this.
Please your help with this is extremely appreciated.
Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,
I pray that you are in the best of health and faith, insha’Allah.
[1] The ritual bath (ghusl) is very simple. Don’t make life difficult for yourself. Follow the sunnas of ghusl by (1) washing the private parts, (2) performing wudu, and then (3) pouring water over your body thrice. Stand under the shower and your body will get wet. Rub your body and you can be absolutely sure that water has reached everywhere. It is very straight-forward. Ignore every single doubt the devil sends your way, and do not pay attention to them in the least. Please see related answers in the Answers Blog.
[2] You are a Muslim. Both ways are correct. In any case, even an incorrect pronunciation does not take you out of the fold of Islam. If you are stopping at the end of the word, you don’t pronounce the final vowel: so it will be La ilaha illa Allah.
And Allah alone gives success.
Wassalam,
Tabraze Azam
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