How Should One Deal with Waswasa in Nikah, Purity, and Prayer?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
We performed the nikah, and during my part, I didn’t understand what I was saying because the person performing the nikah didn’t repeat my part in English; instead, they did it in Arabic, and then the ceremony ended. I’m uneasy because I know I have to accept the proposal, but I believe the condition was not met because it was in another language. Also, before the Imam began, he stated that the father would make the proposal and I would accept, to which I agreed. And did as the imam instructed. So, is the nikah valid?
Also, I have doubts about salah, wudu, ghusl, and istinja; if I’m reciting the Fatiha or the final tashahhud incorrectly, or if I missed a spot or didn’t do it correctly when washing.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
I pray you are in good faith and health.
Your marriage ceremony (nikah) was valid as long as you accepted the proposal. Whether the proposal is accepted in Arabic, English, or any other language makes no difference.
Marriage is concluded and contracted with the offer and acceptance in the presence of two witnesses, or one male and two female witnesses. [Maydani, al-Lubab fi Sharh al-Kitab]
I would like you to go through the Reader on OCD; it will help you immensely. Also, seek help from people around you, watching you pray, doing wudu, etc., and allow them to guide and reassure you. Finally, your doubt and misgivings are just one test. You will overcome it through supplications, Prayer of Need, support from reliable scholars, professional help (watch this video) if need be, and good friends in sha’ Allah.
Related:
A Reader on OCD and Waswasa (Baseless Misgivings)
Why not begin your search for knowledge by signing up for a course on SeekersGuidance?
May Allah (Most High) give you ease and relief from the illness.
I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally-trained scholar who has studied in the UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey. He started his early education in the UK. He went on to complete the hifz of the Quran in India, then enrolled in an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied the secular and ‘Aalimiyya sciences. He then traveled to Karachi, Pakistan. He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for several years. He has taught hifz of the Quran, Tajwid, Fiqh, and many other Islamic sciences to children and adults onsite and online extensively in the UK and Ireland. He taught at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK, where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences. He currently resides in the UK with his wife. His interest is a love of books and gardening.
