Doubt after performing an act of worship is ineffective

26-8-2015 | IslamWeb

Question:

You said in previous fatwas that doubt after performing any act of worship is ineffective. Thus, could I apply this concession to Istinja’ because I sometimes doubt whether I washed the whole excretory organ, or not? If this concession is applicable to Istinja’, is it applied immediately after doing Istinja’ or may it be applied after a long period of time? What is the evidence of this concession so that I feel reassured when I apply it?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

Doubt after performing any act of worship whether it is Wudhoo’ (ablution), Ghusl (shower taken in case of major impurity), prayer, and so on, is ineffective, no matter how long or short the period of time is. That is because acts of worship which are performed by those who are eligible for religious assignments are perfect in principle. Moreover, paying attention to doubt after that leads to undue difficulty and hardship, the two things that have no place in Islamic Sharee'ah. Allaah Almighty says (what means):

•        {And (Allaah) has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty.} [Quran 22: 78]

•        {Allaah wills for you ease, and He does not will hardship for you.} [Quran 2: 185]

Allaah Knows best.