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: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
It is not permissible to abandon ritual bathing () after major ritual impurity () 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 (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.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/140833
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 140833
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy