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Waswas and Dogs

Answered as per Hanafi Fiqh by Seekersguidance.org

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question: Assalamu alaykum

I am suffering from waswas about purity.
My neighbour’s dog got into my back garden, and I keep thinking the dog could have put some clothes in his mouth and dirtied it with his saliva. Also my sibling put my clothes in his mouth and I keep thinking he swallowed impurity.

What can I do?

Answer: Wa ‘alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.

I pray you are well.

You do not need to worry; you can assume the clothes are all clean and pure. Also, you sibling’s putting them in his mouth is inconsequential.

The basis is that the default ruling for things is that they are pure, and, unless you are certain that the dog’s saliva reached the clothing, there is nothing to make you treat them as impure. (Shurunbulali, Maraqi al Falah)

Don’t let the waswas make things difficult. Remember that the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, told us that, “The [practice of] the religion is ease itself.” (Bukhari)

This ease is only seen when you study the religion properly, with experienced teachers. I suggest you take one of our courses and get a good grasp of these matters so they don’t pose a problem for you anymore.

May Allah facilitate the matter for you.

Wassalam,
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat

This answer was collected from Seekersguidance.org. It’s an online learning platform overseen by Sheikh Faraz Rabbani. All courses are free. They also have in-person classes in Canada.

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