Is it permissible for a bride and groom to pray while in a state of ritual impurity (janabah) for three nights after their wedding night?
By consensus, performing prayer while in a state of major ritual impurity (janabah) is considered an act of disbelief if the worshipper believes it to be permissible. However, an ignorant person does not become a disbeliever unless proof is established against them.
Abu Hanifa held the view that whoever prays without proper ritual purification (tahara) is deemed a disbeliever, even if they do not consider it permissible, due to their disregard for religion. In contrast, Al-Nawawi held that such a person does not commit an act of disbelief unless they deem it permissible.
Religious texts emphasize the obligation of performing ghusl (ritual bath) for one in a state of janabah. Among these texts are Allah's words: (O you who have believed, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated until you know what you are saying or in a state of janabah, except those passing through [a mosque], until you have washed [your whole body]), and His saying: (And if you are in a state of janabah, then purify yourselves).
If a person in a state of janabah loses access to water or is unable to use it, they should perform tayammum (dry ablution). If a person in a state of janabah prays due to ignorance of the ruling or of their state of janabah, they are obligated to repeat the prayer.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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