Al-Shibl Retracts Fatwa: Glucose Monitoring Sensors Not to Be Removed During Washing, Treated as Jabirah

2026-07-01T11:22:27.726Z

Sheikh Dr. Ali bin Abdulaziz Al-Shibl, a professor at Majmaah University, announced his retraction of a previous fatwa that required the removal of glucose monitoring and regulation devices and sensors before washing, stating that after consulting specialists and scholars, these devices should not be removed and are to be treated as jabirah due to general necessity and their high cost.

Sheikh Dr. Ali bin Abdulaziz Al-Shibl, a professor at Majmaah University, retracted a previous fatwa in which he had ruled that glucose monitoring and regulation devices and sensors must be removed before bathing, confirming after reviewing the matter with specialists and a number of scholars that they should not be removed when washing and are to be treated as jabirah.

Sheikh Al-Shibl's clarification came during a program on Al-Risala channel, in response to a question about the devices and sensors that are attached to the upper arm or shoulder to measure and monitor blood sugar levels via mobile applications, and whether their presence affects the validity of washing.

Sheikh Al-Shibl explained that what is meant are the sensors placed on the upper arm, through which blood sugar levels are monitored via Bluetooth technology, noting that they are expensive, and that he consulted specialists and discussed the matter with several virtuous people.

He said: 'I concluded that they should not be removed during washing, because they fall under the category of widespread necessity, and therefore they are treated as a necessity in terms of rulings.'

Sheikh Al-Shibl affirmed his explicit retraction of his previous opinion, saying: 'Any fatwa from me that they should be removed during washing, I retract it after clarification of the matter, as in this case it is a minor issue and it is for necessity.'

He pointed out that removing these devices and then reattaching them places a heavy financial burden on patients, adding: 'Removing and reinstalling them costs them a lot of money, so keeping them on during washing does not harm the one washing, and they are treated as jabirah, and Allah knows best.'

Loading tweet...

View tweet