Fatwa ID: 08604
Written by Muftiyah Shireen Mangera Badat
Question:
I recently reverted to Islam, and I have a question regarding past impurity (najasah). Before accepting Islam, I may have touched or come into contact with impure substances (such as alcohol or other forms of najasah) and then touched various surfaces in my home, including areas my parents may have also touched.
1. Am I required to inform my parents or others about areas I may have touched while in a state of impurity, even though I was unaware of Islamic rulings at the time?
2. Does the ruling of impurity still apply if so much time has passed that there are no visible traces (color, smell, or taste) of the impurity remaining?
3. Could the ruling of small impurity apply if so much time has passed that there are no visible traces (color, smell, or taste) of the impurity remaining and the aggregate of the traces is surely less than 6cm in diameter?
4. Can the sun alone purify carpets and other such things?
I want to ensure that I am following Islam correctly while also avoiding unnecessary hardship.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
As a revert Muslim, all misdeeds in the past have been forgiven with your acceptance of Islam. The Quran states in Surah Anfal-38:
“Tell the disbelievers that if they desist, their past will be forgiven. But if they persist, then they have an example in those destroyed before them.”
But for your ease of mind and for your future reference in answer to your questions.
Answer to your 1st question: no, you do not need to inform your parents as your past is forgiven by Allah and you were unaware. Allah says in Surah Ahzaab:5 “ And there is no blame upon you for that in which you have erred but [only for] what your hearts intended. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.”
Q2 and 3: The ruling of impurity does not apply here, whether it’s small or large, as there is no taste, smell or any visible impurities remaining.
Q4- the sun yes can purify things if there is no smell and no visible impurity.
May the Almighty make this path easy for you and continue to illuminate your path ameen.
References:
[1] دۡعُوهُمۡ لِأٓبَآئِهِمۡ هُوَ أَقۡسَطُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِۚ فَإِن لَّمۡ تَعۡلَمُوٓاْ ءَابَآءَهُمۡ فَإِخۡوَٰنُكُمۡ فِي ٱلدِّينِوَمَوَٰلِيكُمۡۚ وَلَيۡسَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ جُنَاحٞ فِيمَآ أَخۡطَأۡتُم بِهِۦ وَلَٰكِن مَّا تَعَمَّدَتۡ قُلُوبُكُمۡۚوَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورٗا رَّحِيمً
[2] قلت: معنى قوله – صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ – «الماء طهور لا ينجسه شيء إلا ما غير.» الحديث، أي لا ينجسه شيء نجس وكلامنا في المختلط الطاهر هكذا أجاب الأكمل، وتبع في ذلك تاج الشريعة فإنه أيضا قال المعنى إلا ما غيره شيء نجس فيكون معناه حينئذ لا ينجسه شيء إلا بالمتغير النجس وهذا لأنه ورد في الماء الجاري ولا يجوز استعماله حيث ترى فيه النجاسة أو يوجد طعمها أو ريحها لأنه يدل على قيام النجاسة، وأجاب الأترازي بجوابين أحدهما مما ذكرنا والآخر إن الشرط لم يصح عن رسول الله – صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ
ص362 – كتاب البناية شرح الهداية – الطهارة بالماء الذي خالطه شيء طاهر فغير أحد أوصافه – المكتبة الشاملة
[3] وإذا أصابت الأرض نجاسة فجفت بالشمس وذهب أثرها جازت الصلاة بمكانها ولا يجوز التيمم منها
ص21 – كتاب مختصر القدوري – باب الأنجاس – المكتبة الشاملة
Only Allah knows best.
Written by Muftiyah Shireen Mangera Badat
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
