Performing ablution with cream on one’s skin

9-4-2023 | IslamWeb

Question:

I’m having difficulty making wudhu and ghusl because of the obligation to rub if has applied creams. Is it obligatory to rub the skin if one has used shampoo/soaps? Would it still be obligatory if one uses water solluble moisturizers, or washes off the moisturizer with water before making wudhu? If you could, please give me practical steps to follow on how to make wudhu and ghusl if one has applied oil/moisturizer?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu`alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and messenger.

If this oil or cream is not an insulating layer that prevents water from reaching the skin, then it is not necessary to be removed or rubbed, in which case, the ablution is valid, but if this cream or moisturizer has a "mass" (i.e. is thick) that prevents water from reaching the skin, then it must be removed before ablution so that the water reaches the place that has to be washed.

Allah knows best.