The remedy of obsession in Taharah

Q: What is the preponderant opinion regarding the water that will be used for Wudu’ (ablution) and what is the remedy for Waswasah (insinuating or obsessive thoughts instigated by Satan) about Taharah (ritual impurity)? A friend of mine is so anxious, to the point where he would take off clothes that had been splashed by drops of water in the bathroom during Wudu’ and eventually he stopped performing Salah (Prayer). I have advised him and he has started praying again, but he has asked me how he can overcome these doubts.

A: All praise be to Allah Alone, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger, and his family and Companions. (Part No. 5; Page No. 226) Firstly: The basic ruling on water is that it is Tahir (ritually pure). If its color, taste, or odor changes, due to being mixed with a Najasah (ritual impurity), it will be considered to be Najis (ritually impure), whether the amount is small or large. However, if the Najasah does not alter it, it will be considered as Tahir, but if there is only very little water, it is preferable not to use it for purification, as a precaution and to escape the difference of opinion of the scholars over this. This is based on the Hadith Marfu‘ (a Hadith narrated from the Prophet with a connected or disconnected chain of narration) narrated by Abu Hurayrah : “If a dog licks a utensil belonging to any one of you, it (the contents) should be spilled out.” Secondly: The remedy for Waswasah is to make Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah) often, asking Allah for protection from it and refusing to surrender to it. It is obligatory for him to ignore these insinuating thoughts. If he performs Wudu’ or Ghusl (ritual bath) and he doubts whether he has washed his head or not, for example, he should not pay attention to that doubt. Instead, he should act as if he has washed it and likewise in all his actions; he should refuse to act upon his doubts because they are from Satan. He should also resort to Isti‘adhah (seeking refuge with Allah from Satan) frequently.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.