Solution for OCD regarding impurities

[Max-22]

Salam,

unfortunately I might have some OCD regarding impurities. I’ve have had problems with all the big ones (semen, Urin, feces and blood). It caused my a lot of trouble in my life. I used to manage it to the point, that only one problem is left: semen. I have some kind of fear from this substance because of its properties. It’s sticky and thick. It’s not like blood which is more easy to spot and wash away. I’m fearing transferring it everywhere and thus I use to shower long and avoid everything which could lead to come in contact with this substance. Even if I try to shower pretty quick it’s still like hard to get it clean. It’s not that easy to wash away for me. I wonder if there is some kind of Islamic solution for this ? 
 

thank you!

salam 

[VoidVortex]

Q 311:

I am a postgraduate woman with several children. I am suffering from a problem concerning purity. In view of the fact that I have been raised within a religious family and want to observe all Islamic regulations and since I have young children, I am always busy with the affairs of urine and excrement. Especially in the toilet, the water drops of the flash-tanks, etc. sprinkles on my leg, face, and even head and every time I face a problem of purifying these body parts a matter that created many difficulties in my life and I cannot stop observing such matters since it is something related to my faith and religion. I consulted a psychologist in the matter, but in vain. In addition, there are some other problems that I suffer from, like the dust of the najis things and being too concerned about purifying the najis hands of the children or to prevent them from touching other things. To purify something najis is a very difficult job for me, while it is easy for me to wash the same vessels and clothes when they are just dirty. Thus, I request your valuable advice to make my life easier.

A:

i. As to the subject of purity and najāsah, basically every thing is considered pure in the sacred laws of Islam. Whenever we are not certain that something is najis, it is pure, even if there is a high probability that it is najis.

ii. Those, who suffer from a severe psychological sensitivity in respect to purity and najāsah matters and, for example, get certain earlier than others that something is najis or later than others that something is pure, are called by fiqhī terminology waswāsī (obsessive). If a waswāsī individual gets certain that something is najis, they are not required to act according to their certainty except when this certainty comes through conventional ways. As for washing a najis object by a waswāsī person, the criterion is the usual people's status and it is not necessary that the waswāsī gets certain that this thing gets pure and the najāsah is removed. Those individuals should keep on acting upon this ruling until this psychological problem is completely cured.

-from Sayed Khamenei's website

Another thing to note is that you suffer from ocd

important things on the side: 

omega 3s, fixing your gut by taking probiotics, avoiding sugar and high amounts of carbs, avoiding processed food, make sure you get magnesium(this isn't for ocd, but just a general good thing)

generally semen will only come out in two ways mainly, through a wet dream or sexual intercourse. If you have wet dreams frequently buy adult nappies that you can use and then the discharge won't go onto your clothes and you can easily throw the nappy away. you can then just wash your body in the shower whilst doing ghusl. its the mind giving you your fear, you'll be fine, because when you really think about it, fiqh is just there as a guideline that must be followed, however God isn't a monster, he doesn't expect a person to be obsessive with najasah, he intends ease in the religion. These difficulties start from satan, and then it becomes a mental illness.

you can also choose to do exposure response therapy and cbt if your issue is problematic and has been going on for some time. You can do all the advice that was given together. here's a therapy website online betterhelp.com

[Max-22]

Salam

 

thank you very much! I don’t get this part exactly: “If a waswāsī individual gets certain that something is najis, they are not required to act according to their certainty except when this certainty comes throughconventional ways. As for washing a najis object by a waswāsī person, the criterion is the usual people's status and it is not necessary that the waswāsī gets certain that this thing gets pure and the najāsah is removed.”

does this means, I should ignore the impurity like it is no impurity? The problem is, I have a big feeling of guilt since I used to make a lot of things impure by masturbation. Thank god I stopped but that’s how it got worse. I’ve gained “experience” like this substance doesn’t dry away that easy and stays sticky a long time. When doing an exposure and prevent therapy I would even make more things impure, wouldn’t I? Thank you for your advises, I really appreciate it! 

Salam 

[VoidVortex]

its best to ask a therapist about how to do your exposure and response therapy, but it doesn't mean you need to make something impure. Usually something will trigger the ocd, it might be thoughts, or a certain place you go to etc. Part of exposure and response is to not do anything purposely, meaning not to give in to the anxiety and compulsively wash. Its the most effective treatment for ocd. Whilst you're doing it and feeling the anxiety, imagine God's mercy and imagine yourself drowning in it and imagine his love for you. Imagine how he wants ease for you.. For example your anxiety might urge you to wash something even if you don't know if its najis or not, so part of the therapy is to purposely not do anything. the therapy doesn't include making something impure on purpose.

If you know something became najis and you are 100% sure of it then you should wash it. The question is how. 

What you could do is this. Buy a hosepipe that is able to connect to your kitchen sink and attach a spray thing at the top(you might have to buy an adapter to connect to the sink) 

NO Leak Garden Hose Nozzle Spray Gun Heavy Duty, Metal Water Sprayer for Powerful Watering and Misting - 8 Pattern Spraying for Cleaning, Car Washes : Amazon.co.uk: Garden & Outdoors

something like the above. use some kind of baby wipes to get rid of the semen that is visible on the object, if you've already taken off the semen and there is none left on the object you can skip this step. The place will still be najis, which is ok, because what you can do is briefly spray the thing, wall or seat etc. that is najis, because kurr water(that comes from the tap) instantly purifies a najis area. You only need a brief spray, as soon as the water hits the najis area it becomes tahir. You can dry the place after if you wish as well although this has no effect on taharah and najasah. You should do this for items you can't take to the bathroom sink and wash under the tap like walls, or heavy objects etc. If the object is small purify it in the bathroom sink by letting tap water flow on it after you remove the semen on it

Quote

“If a waswāsī individual gets certain that something is najis, they are not required to act according to their certainty except when this certainty comes throughconventional ways. As for washing a najis object by a waswāsī person, the criterion is the usual people's status and it is not necessary that the waswāsī gets certain that this thing gets pure and the najāsah is removed.”

here you can ask questions to the office of sayed khamenei to clear this part up for you:

Question on religious matters :: Leader.ir

if you still struggle with masturbation:

My Tazkiyah - My Tazkiyah

Please pray for me

[VoidVortex]

 

[Max-22]

Salam,

thank you for your answer! The thing is, this problem is really influencing my life. I hope there is an easy way like ignore the substance instead of going through therapy. 

Salam

[AStruggler]

[VoidVortex]

20 hours ago, Max-22 said:

Salam,

thank you for your answer! The thing is, this problem is really influencing my life. I hope there is an easy way like ignore the substance instead of going through therapy. 

Salam

the way is easy, however when we have waswasah or ocd, it makes these things seem very big and anxiety inducing. Remember unless you have 100% certainty something is najis, its pure and you shouldn't try clean it. Therapy is to treat your view of this whole thing, to make the idea of najasah from big to small, so that it doesn't come across your mind and you handle it easily

Edited August 17, 2022 by VoidVortex

[Max-22]

@VoidVortex @AStruggler

Salam,

thank you both!

salam