Complete Guide for Wudu, Istinja & Tayammum in Continuous Impurity

✿ Complete Guidance for a Sick Person in Continuous Impurity: Wudu, Istinja, and Tayammum ✿


Excerpt taken from the book "Bīmār kī Namāz" by Umm ‘Abd Munīb

❖ Introduction​

Illness is a valid excuse in which a person cannot perform tasks normally. Out of His immense mercy, Allah ﷻ has not burdened any soul beyond its capacity:


﴿فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ﴾
“So fear Allah as much as you are able.”
(Sūrah al-Taghābun: 16)


Therefore, leniencies have been granted in acts of worship during illness. Since prayer is a daily obligation, one often needs guidance about its rulings in times of sickness—especially women who regularly ask about prayer, purity, and wudu in various conditions. This booklet provides concise answers with references.

✿ Continuous Impurity: Conditions and Rulings​

Some illnesses cause a person to remain perpetually impure, such as:


❖ Continuous dripping of urine
❖ Continuous discharge of stool
❖ Continuous vaginal bleeding (Istihāḍah)
❖ Continuous discharge of madhī (pre-seminal fluid)
❖ Continuous white discharge in women
❖ Continuous passing of wind


These conditions share the same ruling:

✔ Rulings:​

① If there is any temporary break in the discharge during the prayer time, the person must perform purification and pray during that break.


② If no break occurs, then:

• Perform istinjā’ before every prayer (except for wind or white discharge—no istinjā’ needed).

③ After istinjā’, perform wudu immediately. Then:

• Use a sanitary pad or absorbent cloth to prevent impurity from spreading to outer garments.

④ After wudu, pray the current prayer immediately. If delayed, purification must be repeated.


⑤ One wudu suffices for all prayers (farḍ, sunnah, nafl) within that same prayer time.


⑥ If combining two prayers (e.g., Ẓuhr and ‘Aṣr), one wudu is sufficient.


⑦ If wudu is broken due to another reason (e.g., sleep), new wudu is required, but istinjā’ or changing pad is not mandatory again.

✦ Analogous Ruling:​

All these conditions are analogous to the case of al-Mustaḥāḍah (woman with non-menstrual bleeding), as in the Hadith of Fāṭimah bint Abī Ḥubaysh:


“When it is the menstrual blood, refrain from prayer; otherwise, perform wudu and offer prayer.”
Abū Dāwūd: 2740, al-Nasā’ī

✿ If Blood or Discharge Comes from Other Body Parts​

If blood flows from outside the two private passages after wudu (e.g., from nosebleed, gums, wound), the wudu remains valid.

• Such blood is not najis, and it does not invalidate the prayer or purity.
  Abū Dāwūd: 198

Only blood from the front or back passages is najis and invalidates wudu.


During prayer, if pus or blood flows from a wound:

• Use tissue or cotton with one hand to wipe it.
• Apply bandages beforehand to contain discharge.
• If water harms the wound, wipe (masḥ) over the bandage.

If no one can assist, and water cannot be used, it is permissible to leave out washing and still pray.

✿ Tayammum (Dry Ablution)​

Tayammum is using pure earth/dust in place of water for purification.
Qur'anic basis:


﴿فَلَمْ تَجِدُوا مَاءً فَتَيَمَّمُوا صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا﴾
“And if you find no water, then perform tayammum with clean earth.”
(Sūrah al-Mā’idah: 6)

✔ When Tayammum Is Allowed:​

❶ Water is so far away that its retrieval would cause missing prayer time.
❷ Path to water is dangerous (wild animals, enemy, dense forest, etc.).
❸ Water is so scarce that using it would deprive of drinking water.
❹ Water use would worsen illness or cause death.
❺ Severe cold and no way to heat water.
❻ No helper available to fetch water during illness.

✔ How to Perform Tayammum:​

1. Say Bismillah.
2. Strike both hands lightly on clean earth.
3. Wipe:
   
   • One hand over the opposite arm (palm and back), and repeat with the other.
   • Then wipe the face thoroughly once.

Ibn Mājah: 569


A single strike can suffice for both hands and face.

✿ Tayammum for Ghusl:​

If ghusl is obligatory (e.g., after janābah or menses), and:

• Body parts can be washed safely, they should be washed.
• If not, then wipe (masḥ) over them or perform tayammum alone.

One tayammum suffices for both wudu and ghusl.


Multiple prayers can be prayed with a single tayammum, until it is invalidated.


Tayammum ends if:

• Water becomes available.
• The person recovers from illness.

See: Sunan Abī Dāwūd, Kitāb al-Ṭahārah, Bāb al-Tayammum

✔ Acceptable Dust Sources:​

• Any clean soil or dust is valid.
• Even dust on walls, utensils, furniture, etc.
• Sandy soil, mountainous dust, clean tree trunks, frozen snow (if no soil available).
• If no water or dust, and illness prevents washing—pray without wudu/tayammum.

✿ Istinjā (Cleaning Private Parts)​

• Using clean soil or stones is Sunnah—even if water is available.
• Three stones for urine, and three for stool, even if one suffices.
  Abū Dāwūd: 40
• If impurity spreads beyond the area, it must be washed with water.

✔ Other Alternatives for Istinjā:​

• Tissue paper, clean cloth, etc., may be used if:
  
  • Water is unavailable
  • Water causes harm due to illness
• Must use three wipes, and ensure impurity does not spread.

Abū Dāwūd: 39

✿ Assisting the Sick in Purification​

• Helper may clean the patient using gloves, plastic wrap, or cloth.
• If no helper, then wet cloth may be used to wipe impurity.
• If cleaning causes harm, skip it—still pray in that condition.

✔ Person Unable to Keep Purity​

If one cannot keep clean clothes or body due to illness or disability:

• Pray in that condition, as delaying prayer is not allowed.

Ibn Mājah, Bāb al-Tayammum

✿ Rulings on Artificial Limbs​

• If easily removable: remove and wash normally.
• If not: treat as cast or wooden splint—wipe (masḥ) over them.

Modern Fiqh Issues

✿ Masḥ on Socks​

• Allowed for those with frequent wudu breaks or illness.
• Wipe over socks after making one wudu and wearing them.
• Duration:
  
  • 24 hours for residents
  • 72 hours for travelers
• For ghusl, socks must be removed.

Abū Dāwūd: 157, 120

✿ Doubts About Urine Drops​

If one doubts whether urine drops have exited:

• Sprinkle water on undergarments after wudu.
  Abū Dāwūd: 166, 167, 168

Conclusion​

This detailed guidance ensures that a sick person suffering from continuous impurity or unable to use water is still able to:


✔ Maintain ritual purity
✔ Perform wudu or tayammum correctly
✔ Use valid alternatives for istinjā
✔ Pray on time with necessary adjustments


اللهم رب الناس أذهب الباس واشف أنت الشافي، لا شفاء إلا شفاؤك، شفاء لا يغادر سقما
“O Allah, Lord of the people, remove this harm and grant cure. You are the Healer; there is no healing but Yours—a healing that leaves no illness behind.”