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Fatwa CenterShe found a white substance in her navel after she had performed Ghusl
Question
Assalamu alaikom wa rahamatullah wa barakatuh,
My situation might sound a bit strange ,but I really need to get an answer because I am worried that my previous prayers are not accepted.I have a question about ghusl:a few days ago my menses ended ,so I made ghusl and made sure not to leave any body part dry including the belly button.I always make sure to wash inside the belly button.However,about 2 days later, I inserted my finger into the belly button and deep down I found a small white solid substance which I took out .I was unaware of it when I made ghusl because the very bottom of the belly button is usually closed in when I am standing up ,unless I insert my finger really deep.So I am really worried that my ghusl is not valid and thus my prayers are not accepted .I always make ghusl the same way and I don't know how long this substance was there because, as I mentioned, this area is usually closed in unless I open it up,but I assume that it's been a while .Please advice me on what should I do and what about all the previous times that I made ghusl?Thank you and I would really appreciate a quick response if possible.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
If you do not know when this white substance in the navel occurred, and it was possible that it could have been there after you had performed Ghusl, then it should be considered as if it occurred after Ghusl and your Ghusl is valid and you are not obliged to remove that substance (until you have to perform another Ghusl). Similarly, if the substance does not prevent the water from reaching the skin, or that according to the custom it is a very tiny thing, then Ghusl is valid. The jurists 
stated that if there is something that prevents water from reaching the skin and its time was not known and it could have been occurred after purity, then the purity is valid. They also stated that a tiny thing that prevents water from reaching the skin like the dirt in the nails does not constitute a problem (if not removed) wherever it is in the body.
On the other hand, if the substance prevents water from reaching the skin and it could not have occurred after the recent Ghusl, then it is an obligation to wash the navel only with the intention of removing major impurity and it is not an obligation to renew the whole Ghusl. For more benefit, refer to Fatwa 118955. In this case, all the prayers that were performed with that Ghusl must be made up. If one is not sure about the number of those prayers, then he should consider the number he predominantly thinks he performed. Nonetheless, Shaykh Ibn Taymiyyah 
is of the view that it is not an obligation to make up the prayers in such a case.
Allaah Knows best.
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