What is the ruling regarding someone who is in a state of janabah (major ritual impurity) but is unable to perform ghusl (ritual bath) due to the unavailability of water, or its coldness, or embarrassment from using a shared bathroom, despite the potential availability of alternatives?
Source: FtawySummarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
It is not permissible to abandon ritual bathing (ghusl) after major ritual impurity (janabah) due to shyness or cold water if it is possible to heat it. However, if water is unavailable, one must search for it in nearby places. If one does not find it or if the available water is insufficient, then tayammum (dry ablution) is permissible. The majority of scholars hold that tayammum is sufficient in such a case, while the Shafi'is and some Hanbalis are of the view that one should use the available water and then perform tayammum.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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