How should excessive washing and purification-related misgivings be addressed?
2026-09-20
T16 · Ibn Taymiyyah
Ibn Taymiyyah
شيخ الإسلام أحمد بن تيمية
Original Q&A · Selected source passage(s) — fully translated
Selected passage on excessive scrupulosity in purification. The examples concern obsessive doubt, not a demonstrated impurity. The English translates every displayed Arabic paragraph; this selection is not the complete surrounding work. Square brackets identify translator-supplied clarification.
النص العربي
الجواب
ما كره من الوسوسة في الطهارة مثل غسل العضو أكثر من ثلاث مرات، والامتناع من الصلاة على حصر المسجد ونحو ذلك: هو أيضا بدعة وضلالة باتفاق المسلمين، ليس مستحبا ولا طاعة ولا قربة.
English translation
English translation reviewed against the displayed Arabic by SalafAlSalih editorial preparation (AI-assisted); explanatory additions appear in square brackets or separate notes.
Answer
The objectionable forms of obsessive doubt concerning purification—such as washing a limb more than three times, refraining from praying on mosque mats, and similar things—are also innovation and misguidance by the agreement of the Muslims. They are neither recommended, nor obedience, nor a means of drawing near [to Allah].
Source and editorial notes
Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā 21/168
مجموع الفتاوى
Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā
Arabic passage checked against the cited edition and location. English reviewed against every displayed Arabic paragraph on 14 October 2026.