Question:
Assalamu alaykum,
I hope this finds you well InshaAllah.
I had a recent experience where I was admitted to hospital unexpectedly and stayed for a few days in a shared bay with other patients. We all shared the same bathroom, which had no shower facilities. I suffer from a lot of wet dreams, thankfully it didn’t happen during this stay. However, if I were to have a wet dream and ghusl became obligatory, how could I practically perform it? Even when I did wudu using the sink, water splashed onto the floor and could inconvenience other patients. I could fill one hand with water under the sink and gradually pour water over my body bit by bit, but this would be messy and take a long time, as I would need to ensure the water reaches all of my skin, and that it actually flows over the body rather than just wiping (for example, pouring water on my wrist and rubbing it along my arm would not suffice).
It would also be helpful to know how to perform ghusl if I am connected to an IV drip. I understand that if I am bedbound, tayammum is allowed, but if I am allowed to move around while dragging the IV trolley, I again fall in the aforementioned scenario of needing to do ghusl using just a sink, only this time with greater difficulty.
Any advice aswell you could offer on how to prepare for a hospital stay that is planned would be greatly appreciated. The best idea I have thought of is to bring a bucket and a bottle of water, stand in the bucket, and pour water over myself so that most of it lands in the bucket and not the floor. However, even this seems difficult.
P.S. For consistency, I try to follow the Hanafi fiqh. I’m not sure if this will affect your answer.
JazakAllah Khayrun for considering my ask.
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-Salāmu ‘Alaykum Wa-Rahmatullāhi Wa-Barakātuh.
In principle, if ghusl becomes obligatory while water is available, then performing ghusl is necessary.
In most cases, hospitals do provide some form of washing or bathing facility, even if it is not a shower. Therefore, you should try to explore all available options by asking the nursing staff or those in charge if there is a more suitable place where you may perform ghusl with ease and privacy. If such facilities are not available, the matter may be raised with the hospital administration.[1]
With regard to being connected to an IV drip, ghusl is still possible. The IV line may be temporarily disconnected. If it is harmful for water to reach the cannula, then it is sufficient to simply pass a wet hand over the cannula (Masah).
You should consult the attending nurse before taking any step involving the IV line to ensure there is no medical risk.[2]
And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best.
Abdour-Rahmaan Lim Voon Heek
Student Darul Iftaa
Port-louis, Mauritius
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Muhammad Zakariyya Desai.
