What is the ruling on one who prays while in a state of major ritual impurity (janabah)?
The person in a state of major ritual impurity (junub) must purify themselves from this impurity in order to pray, based on the Almighty's saying: (And if you are in a state of janabah, then purify yourselves). If they do not find water or are unable to use it, they should perform tayammum (dry ablution) and pray, based on the Almighty's saying: (And if you are ill or on a journey, or one of you comes from the excretory relieving himself, or you have touched women and find no water, then perform tayammum with clean earth and wipe over your faces and hands with it). The prayer of a person in a state of major ritual impurity without ablution (wudu) or dry ablution (tayammum) is invalid by scholarly consensus, and it must be repeated after purification. They must also repent if they prayed intentionally while in a state of janabah. Allah has forbidden a person in a state of major ritual impurity from entering prayer until they perform ghusl (full ritual bath), based on the Almighty's saying: (nor a junub person, unless passing through, until you bathe).
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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