What is meant by hardship in Islamic jurisprudence? Is a person who suffers from physical issues due to psychological stress and obsessive thoughts considered to be experiencing hardship? What is the obligation of the individual in this case?
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1 Answer
Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.
Ayatollah Khamenei and Ayatollah Sistani (may God protect them):
Hardship refers to effort, toil, severity, and burden. It is the state that a person may reach as a result of performing an action. For example, using water for ablution or washing may cause skin cracks that lead to bleeding, or the weather may be so cold that using water could result in illness, which constitutes hardship. Hardship can also arise from illness; for instance, if a person wishes to fast but doing so would cause harm. Thus, scholars often refer to hardship that is unbearable or severe, or to the extent that it is difficult to endure. Therefore, not every form of hardship, in the sense of fatigue, lifts the obligatory rulings.
As for obsessive thoughts, the ruling is easier; scholars have determined that one is not required to pay attention to doubts and should assume the purity and correctness of their actions.
May you be successful in all good.
Source:
Ayatollah Khamenei (may God protect him): Educational Message - Purity - Tayammum (1) - Reasons for Tayammum + Answers to Inquiries - Obsession and Its Treatment
Ayatollah Sistani (may God protect him): Minhaj al-Salihin - Vol. 1 - Reasons for Tayammum - Fourth + Official Website