Is cream a barrier to water reaching the skin, and if so should it be removed prior to wudhu and ghusl?
Answer
If the effect left on the skin after it is applied is nothing, and absorbed into the skin, but just slight moisture, and so it does not constitute a barrier to water reaching the skin.
Some women let their nails grow longer than necessary for beauty. Sometimes a nail breaks up, requiring a cover that must be placed over the broken nail. Knowing that such a cover prevents water from reaching the nail in Wudhu and Ghusl, is it permissible to use it? How should Wudhu and Ghusl be performed with that cover?
Answer
Wudhu and Ghusl with such a cover over the nail is not valid; therefore, it is necessary to remove it for Wudhu and Ghusl.
And the purpose mentioned above for the cover is not justifiable.
A person used to make mistakes in the way he performed his wudhu (minor ablution) or ghusl (major ablution). After many years, he comes to realize his mistakes. When he inquires as how to solve his problem, he is told: "Repeat all your prayers and perform the pilgrimage again." Since saying all the prayers and doing the pilgrimage again is difficult, is there a solution which would salvage his prayers and pilgrimage performed with wudhu and ghusl that he thought was correct? Is there such a solution as a concession to this person so that he does not become disheartened and rebellions against religious obligations in a society which encourages such kind of rebellion?
Answer
If he was ignorant out of innocence, and therefore made mistakes without causing harm (e.g., did not follow the proper sequence in washing the head and the other parts of the body in ghusl; or did the wiping of the head or feet [mash] with a new water), then his wudhu and ghusl will be considered correct; and, consequently, his past prayers and pilgrimage will also be considered correct.
But if he was ignorant out of negligence in learning the Islamic laws or did mistakes which do invalidate the act in general (e.g., leaving out some parts of the body which must be washed in wudhu or ghusl), there is no way to validate his past prayers and pilgrimage.
However, if there is the fear that he would totally rebel when asked to make up all the past prayers and pilgrimage, then it is not appropriate to ask him to do so, and hopefully Allah will improve his situation in future.
