Question: How do I combat doubts regarding the invalidation of wudu?
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate,
Whenever you find yourself dealing with doubts or misgivings – apply the following principle:
Certainty is not removed by doubt. [Ibn Nujaym/Hamawi, Ghamz ‘Uyun al-Basair Sharh al-Ashbah wa al-Nazair]
Applications of This Principle
If you are in a state of ritual purity, that is your certainty. Any doubts that come telling you otherwise ignore them entirely. The possibility that wind came out, even if you smell something, is not strong enough evidence to combat your certainty – therefore ignore, ignore, ignore. [Ibid.]
Religion is Ease
Imam Bukhari, under the chapter heading, ‘The Religion is ease,’ brings the following Prophetic narration:
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “The most beloved religion to Allah is the pure Abrahamic religion (hanifiyya) that is easy-going (samha).” [Bukhari]
The word hanifiyya refers to that which fully turns away from falsehood and toward truth; this was the way of Ibrahim (Allah give him peace). [Ayni, ‘Umda al-Qari Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari]
The word samha – easy-going here is defined as “that which contains no undue difficulty nor entails constriction on its people; it refers to Islam.” [Ibid.]
Summary
From the above principles and the Prophet’s guidance, we see that religion is meant to be facilitative. We do our due diligence to worship Allah Most High. At the same time, we must not burden ourselves with that which Allah Most High has not made us in charge of.
Our responsibility to Allah is merely to do what is in our capability. Doubts and misgivings are from Shaytan, and we have been commanded to oppose him. Never act on doubts, misgivings, guesses, or conjecture. Only act on reasonable surety and certainty; ignore all else as you are not responsible for anything beyond this.
I hope this helps,
Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani