Purity from Ritual Impurity and Ritual Uncleanness

Purity from Ritual Impurity and Ritual Uncleanness

What draws attention in Islam is its deep concern for individual and community health, as a healthy mind lives in a healthy body.

 Thus, Islam is ahead of its time in establishing the basics of private and public health. When you trace the verses of the Holy Qurᶦan, you will find that they are interested in the purity of Muslims, so as to be able to fulfill their roles in worship and transactions.

 God says ﴾And your clothing purify﴿ ﴾Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves﴿ ﴾Keep away from wives during menstruation. And do not approach them until they are pure﴿ ﴾And if you are in a state of sexual impurity, then purify yourselves﴿ ……..etc.

 Many verses are in this regard

Prophetic traditions are in line with these recommendations of the concern for cleanness from the first moment of a person’s day.

●It was narrated from Abi Hurairah that the Prophet (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “When one of you wakes up from his sleep, he must not put his hand in a utensil till he washes it (his hand) three times, for he does not know where his hand was (while he was sleeping).” [Narrated by Muslim].

From this point of view, ablution starts. It is repeated five times daily and it cares about washing external body organs, which are often exposed to pollution, especially in the current age, due to countless pollution resources.

●It was narrated from Abi Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “When one of you awakes up from his sleep, he must blow of his nose three times, for the Devil spends the night in the interior of his nose.” [Narrated by the Two Scholars, AL-Bukhari and Muslim].

Also, Islam takes advantage of every opportunity to recommend a Muslim to be always clean, so that when the Muslim loses this cleanness, he feels that he is in an abnormal state.

●It was narrated from Abi Hurairah that the Prophet, prayer and peace be upon him (P.P.B.U.H), met him in one of the streets of AL-Madinah while he was in a state of sexual impurity, so he slipped away from him and took a bath. The Prophet noticed that he was not there, and when he came he said: “Where were you, O Abu Hurairah?” He said, “O Messenger of Allah, you met me when I was in a state of sexual impurity, and I did not want to sit in your presence until I had a bath.” The Messenger of Allah said: “Glory be to Allah! A believer never becomes impure (Najis).” [The Two Scholars].

When a Muslim has a minor or a major ritual impurity, it does not mean that he is unclean, but it means that he is in a state which necessitates purity. It is better to purify himself rapidly to be ready to perform the next prayer.

Islam’s care about cleanness is continuous. It obligates a Muslim to have a bath in four cases, and makes bathing a Sunnah for him in more than ten cases. It does not allow him to present in worship places unless he is clean.

And finally, he does not meet God unless he has been washed and enshrouded in the white cloth which is the most beautiful cloth. So, it has not been strange that the first section of Islamic Jurisprudence is cleanness ways and purification provisions.

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Purification from ritual uncleanness

Uncleanness, in Arabic language, means dirt. It has two types:

a) Real Uncleanness: It means presence of an impure substance such as urine, stool, a dog’s saliva, and a pig’s meat.

b) Sapiential uncleanness: It relates to a Muslim. It occurs when the Muslim has a minor ritual impurity due to not performing ablution. Or, when he has a major ritual impurity due to doing something that makes him sexually impure (Junub) as sexual intercourse, or masturbation – which is called “Wank”.

Clarification: For God’s saying in the Chapter of Repentance (Surat AL-Tawbah) ﴾Indeed the polytheists are unclean, so let them not approach AL-Masjid AL-Haraam after this, their [final] year﴿, interpreters have two opinions:

a) Polytheists are actually unclean, as they do not purify themselves as Muslims do, or

b) Their uncleanness is moral, as they have cast aside their minds and have become like unclean animals.

¨ Uncleanness is removed ONLY with water. It is forbidden to perform ablution or take a bath using previously used water, or water mixed with changing agents such as rose water or vinegar.

Water can be used for ablution or bathing is:

Sky water – rain or ice balls, wells water which is extracted using pumps, sea water, river water, and springs water.

●Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A man came to the Messenger of Allah (P.P.B.U.H) and said, “O Messenger of Allah, we travel by sea and we take a little water with us, but if we use it for ablution (Wuduᶦ), we will go thirsty. Can we perform ablution with sea-water?” The Messenger said, “Its water is a means of purification and its dead meat is permissible.”                   [Abu Daoud]

Some of Purity Provisions:

* Little uncleanness is excused. For Example: If blood drops or streets mud are scattered on your clothes, you can pray wearing them.

* Animals skins are purified by tanning, except for the skin of dogs and pigs. Their skin uncleanness is severe.

●It was narrated from Abi-Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (P.P.B.U.H) said: “If somebody keeps a dog, he will lose one Qirat (carat of the reward) of his good deeds every day, except if he keeps it for guarding the fields or the herd.” [The Two Scholars – AL Bukhari and Muslim].

●It was narrated from Motraf ibn Abd-Allah (May Allah be pleased with him) that Allah’s Apostle said, “When the dog licks the utensil, wash it seven times, and rub it with earth the eighth time.” [AL Bukhari and Muslim].

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﴾Whoever holds firmly to Allah has been guided to a straight path﴿ 

◊ It has been proved, according to Medspcae.com, that dogs can transmit a lot of infections, for example:

* Toxocariasis, it is an infection caused by the ingestion of larvae of the dog roundworm.

* Dipylidiasis, it is a common tapeworm infection of dogs caused by Dipylidium caninum.

◊ Dogs (according to https://blogs.ubc.ca/dogmeat/category/4-proscons-of-eating-dog-meat/) can also carry a lot of pathogens, including Leptospira, Listeria, Salmonella, Trichinella, roundworms, and Rickettsia (which causes typhus). One particularly dangerous pathogen dogs can carry is the rabies virus.

◊ Also it has been proved, according to Medspcae.com, that pigs can transmit a lot of infections, for example:

*Trichinellosis, it is an infection caused by nematodes of the genus Trichinella, which present in pigs.

* Gnathostomiasis, it is an infection caused by nematodes of the genus Gnathostoma.

* Cysticercosis, it is an infection caused by eggs of the pork tapeworm.

* Taienia infection, it is caused by Taienia Solium (pork tapeworm).

Clarification: Islam agrees with pity for animals, but without living with them.

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Some of cleanness rules which are recommended by Islam:

a) Be silent.
          
b) Do not enter the place when you are barefoot.

c) Do not urinate standing upright.

d) Do not face the sun or the moon, and do not turn your back to them (if possible).

e) Do not take a copy of the Holy Qurᶦan with you, unless you fear for it from damage or theft.

f) Say upon entering the toilet: “I seek refuge with Allah from devils – male and female (or all offensive and wicked things, evil deeds and evil spirits, etc.).” And say upon getting out the toilet: “Ghufranak (Grant me Your forgiveness), praise to Allah Who has relieved me of impurity and given me good health.”

g) Enter the toilet using the left foot first, and exit using the right foot first.

h) Save yourself from being soiled with your urine.

●Ibn ᶦAbas reported: The Messenger of Allah passed by two graves and said, “Both of them (the persons in these graves) are tortured, and they are not being tortured for a cardinal sin (to avoid). One of them used not to save himself from being soiled with his urine, and the other one used to go about with gossip (among people to rouse hostilities).”

i) Do not relieve yourself in public thoroughfares, in a hole in the earth, in a place people use for shading, or under a fruit tree.

●It was narrated from Abi-Hurairah that the Prophet (P.P.B.U.H) said: “Be on your guard against two things which provoke cursing.” They (the companions present there) said: “O Messenger of Allah, what are those things which provoke cursing?” He said: “Easing on the thoroughfares or under the shades (where they take shelter and rest).”

●It was narrated from Muᶦadh ibn Jabal that the Messenger of Allah said: “Be on your guard against three things which provoke cursing: easing in watering places, on the thoroughfares, and in the shade (of a tree).”

●It was narrated from Abi-Qatada (May Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (P.P.B.U.H) said, “None of you should hold his penis with his right hand while urinating, clean himself (from defecation or urine) using his right hand, or breathe in the utensil (from which he drinks).” [AL Bukhari and Muslim].

●Hafsah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah (P.P.B.U.H) used to use his right hand for eating, drinking, and wearing his clothes and used to use his left hand for other purposes. [Abu Daoud] 

clarification:
◊ Using the right hand has the priority in all acts representing honor like:
Bathing, ablution, using tooth stick, sand ablution (Tayammum), nails trimming, moustache trimming, wearing clothes, eating and drinking, shaking hands, entering home or mosque.

◊ Using the left hand has the priority in acts that are against honor like:
Removing mucus from the nose, spitting, cleaning one’s private parts, getting out home or mosque, or taking off shoes or clothes.
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Things are prohibited due to the minor ritual impurity

 If a Muslim has not performed ablution, the following acts are prohibited for him:
a) Prayer (obligation or optional).             
b) Circumambulation of AL Kaᶦbah.

●The Prophet (P.P.B.U.H) said, “Circumambulation is like prayer, the only difference is that God has allowed talking in it (circumambulation).”

c) Touching the Qurᶦan and carrying it. God says ﴾None touch it except the purified﴿ Chapter of the Inevitable (Surat AL-Waaqiᶦah). Verse NO 79

* Some scholars allowed carrying the Qurᶦan covered. AL Shafii allowed carrying it among luggage, and allowed reading it only, without touching it, and turning its pages using a pen or any other thing.

Things are prohibited due to the major ritual impurity [sexual impurity (Janabah) in men]

a) Prayer (obligation or optional).                 
b) Circumambulation of AL Kaᶦbah.
c) Reading the Qurᶦan.                                    
d) Touching the Qurᶦan and carrying it.
e) Staying in mosque.

 God says ﴾O you who have believed, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated until you know what you are saying or in a state of sexual impurity [ Janabah], except those passing through [a place of prayer], until you have washed [your whole body]﴿ Chapter of Women(Surat AL-Nisaᶦ) Verse NO 43

●And the Prophet said: “It is not permitted for a menstruating woman or one who is sexually impure to stay in the mosque.” [Abu Daoud].

□What mentioned before is prohibited for a man and a woman if they are after sexual intercourse.
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                             Menses, Confinement, and False Menstruation

There are three types of the blood that discharges from a woman’s vulva:
menses, confinement, and false menstruation.

Menses:

 It is the blood discharged from the woman’s vulva when she is healthy. It is a painful blood and it is called “menstrual period”. It does not occur before the age of nine, as a sign of puberty in women. Menopause mostly occurs in between the age of forty five to the age of fifty.

Menstrual period lasts from one day and one night to five days, or to fifteen consecutive days.

False Menstruation:

 It is the blood discharged from the woman’s vulva in days other than the menstrual period, and not due to childbirth. It is urgent and entails treatment. It is not prohibited for the woman with false menstruation to pray or fast.

Confinement:

 It is the blood discharged after childbirth, and it ranges from one day in some women to forty or sixty days in the others.

Things Prohibited for the Menstruating Woman and the Woman in Confinement Period

a) Prayer (obligation or optional).                                
b) Mosque entry.

c) Touching the Qurᶦan or carrying it.                          
d) Reading the Qurᶦan.
e) Circumambulation of AL Kaᶦbah, either it is arrival encompassing, onrush encompassing, or farewell encompassing.
f) Sexual intercourse.

 God says ﴾And they ask you about menstruation. Say, “It is a harm, so keep away from women [wives] during menstruation. And do not approach them until they are pure. And when they have purified themselves, then come to them from where Allah has ordained for you. Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves﴿ Chapter of the Heifer. Verse NO 222

● ᶦAᶦishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: We set out with the Prophet, with the sole intention of performing pilgrimage (Hajj), and when we reached Sarif, (a place near to Makkah) I got my menses. When the Prophet came to me, I was weeping. He asked, “Why are you weeping?” I said, “I wish if I had not performed pilgrimage this year.” He asked, “May be that you got your menses?” I replied, “Yes.” He then said, “This is the thing which Allah has ordained for the daughters of Adam. So, do what all pilgrims do with the exception of circumambulation (AL-Tawaf) round AL Kaᶦbah till you are clean.” [The Two Scholars].

● ᶦAᶦishah reported: We passed this (period of menstruation), and we were ordered to complete the (abandoned) fasts, but were not ordered to complete the (abandoned) prayers. 

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BATHING (SHOWERING)

It is washing the whole body with the intention of purification.

● It was narrated from Abi-Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (P.P.B.U.H) said, “It is the right of Allah upon every Muslim that he should take a bath (at least) on one day during the seven days(of the week) and he should wash his head and body.” [AL Bukhari and Muslim].

The Obligatory Bathing (Conditions in which bathing is an obligation):

a) Purification from menses and confinement.

             

b) After sexual intercourse. 

● It was narrated from ᶦAᶦishah (May Allah be pleased with her) that the Messenger of Allah (P.P.B.U.H) said, “When the two circumcised parts meet, the bathing is obligatory.” [AL Bukhari].

● The Prophet said to Fatimah bint Abi Hubaish: “Give up the prayer when your menses begins and when it finishes, take a bath and start praying.”

c) Semen discharge from the woman or the man after having a libidinal dream, or masturbation.

● Um Salamah (the mother of the believers) reported: The wife of Abi Talha came to Allah’s Apostle and said, “O Allah’s Apostle! Allah is not ashamed of the truth, does a woman have to take a bath (do Ghusl) if she has a wet dream (nocturnal sexual discharge)?” Allah’s Apostle replied, “Yes, if she sees a discharge.” [The Two Scholars].

d) Washing a dead body, except the martyr in a battle against the unbelievers.

● It was narrated from Jabir ibn Abd Allah (May Allah be pleased with them) that the Prophet ordered the martyrs of Uhud to be buried with their blood (on their bodies). Neither was the funeral prayer (Salat AL-Janaazah) offered for them, nor were they washed. [AL Bukhari].

Conditions in Which Bathing is Sunnah:

a) Bathing on Fridays. It is the most important one of them.
Its time: From the emergence of dawn till the end of Friday prayer (Salat AL Jumuᶦah).

●The Prophet (P.P.B.U.H) said, “If any one of you performs ablution on Friday that is all right, and if any of you takes a bath, that is better.”

● It was narrated from Salman AL-Farisi (May Allah be pleased with him) that Allah’s Apostle said: “If a man takes a bath on Friday, purifies himself as much as he can, uses oil and perfume which is available in the house, sets forth for the mosque, does not sit between two persons (to make a seat for himself), performs the prayer that is prescribed for him and listens to the leader (AL Imam) silently, his sins between this Friday and the previous Friday will be forgiven” [AL-Bukhari].

b) The Two Festivals Bathing. Its time: From midnight to the sunset of the first day of the Festival.

c) Bathing before consecration of pilgrimage, consecration of minor pilgrimage (ᶦUmrah), or consecration of them together.

d) Bathing before throwing pebbles on the three days of Tashreeq.

e) Before entering Makkah, and before entering AL-Madinah.

f) Before standing at Arafat.

g) Before circumambulation of AL Kaᶦbah.

h) Before spending the night at Muzdalifah.

i) Before the eclipse, or the lunar eclipse prayer.

j) Before rain invoking prayer.

k) Having washed a dead body, the person who did so should take a bath.

l) The unbelievers bathing after conversion to Islam.

m) Bathing of the one who has passed-out, after he becomes awake.

Bathing Obligations:

1) Intention: It resides in the heart.
2) Getting rid of body uncleanness, if there is any of it.
3) Water must reach all parts of the skin, including hair roots.

The Sunan (the Sunnah practices) of Bathing:

1) Mentioning the name of Allah.                   
2) Performing ablution before it.
3) Washing right organs before left organs.    
4) Body massage.
5) Bathing acts succession.

Bathing Validity Conditions:

1) Water must be pure, not mixed with any other substances such as rose water, etc.
2) There isn’t any barrier which prevents the reach of water, such as fats, nail polish, BUT henna does not affect bathing validity.

Bathing Disliked Acts:

1) Wasting water.
2) If a person gets someone else for bathing, in spite of his ability to do it on his own.                                                                                                                                                                  
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