Fatwa ID: 08212
Answered by: Maulana Ateiq-ur Rehman
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. Jazakum Allahu Khayran.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said: “The Messenger of Allah said: ‘Indeed, this religion is easy, and no one will ever overburden himself in religion, except that it will overcome him. So seek what is appropriate, and come as close as you can, and receive the glad tidings (that you will be rewarded), and take it easy; and gain strength by worshipping in the mornings, afternoons, and during the last hours of the nights.'” (Sunan an-Nasa’i 5034)
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Religion is very easy and whoever overburdens himself in his religion will not be able to continue in that way. So you should not be extremists, but try to be near to perfection and receive the good tidings that you will be rewarded; and gain strength by worshipping in the mornings, the afternoons, and during the last hours of the nights.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 39)
Islam is a religion of ease, and it does not burden a person beyond their capacity. Since you were unaware of these rulings before embracing Islam, you are not held accountable for them. Moving forward, focus on maintaining purity within reasonable means without falling into excessive hardship or doubt. Allah is Merciful and does not wish difficulty upon His servants.
- No, you are not required to tell your parents or anyone else about past impurity.
- If no traces of impurity are visible (colour, taste, smell), then the ruling of impurity will no longer apply.
- The ruling of ‘small impurity’ does not apply if there are no visible traces and/or if the impurity has been absorbed or disappeared over time.
- In the Hanafi school, the sun alone does not purify carpets or similar items. However, if the impurity dries completely and no traces remain, then the surface will be classed as pure.
Only Allah knows best.
Written by Maulana Ateiq-ur Rehman
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ السَّلاَمِ بْنُ مُطَهَّرٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عُمَرُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، عَنْ مَعْنِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ الْغِفَارِيِّ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْمَقْبُرِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ “ إِنَّ الدِّينَ يُسْرٌ، وَلَنْ يُشَادَّ الدِّينَ أَحَدٌ إِلاَّ غَلَبَهُ، فَسَدِّدُوا وَقَارِبُوا وَأَبْشِرُوا، وَاسْتَعِينُوا بِالْغَدْوَةِ وَالرَّوْحَةِ وَشَىْءٍ مِنَ الدُّلْجَةِ ”.
Sahih al-Bukhari 39
أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ نَافِعٍ قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عُمَرُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ عَنْ مَعْنِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ سَعِيدٍ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِنَّ هَذَا الدِّينَ يُسْرٌ وَلَنْ يُشَادَّ الدِّينَ أَحَدٌ إِلَّا غَلَبَهُ فَسَدِّدُوا وَقَارِبُوا وَأَبْشِرُوا وَيَسِّرُوا وَاسْتَعِينُوا بِالْغَدْوَةِ وَالرَّوْحَةِ وَشَيْءٍ مِنْ الدَّلْجَةِ
(Sunan an-Nasa’i 5034)
ويجوز تطهيرها بالماء وبكل مائع طاهر يمكن إزالتها به كالخل وماء الورد ونحوه مما إذا عصر إنعصر ” وهذا عند أبي حنيفة وأبي يوسف رحمهما الله وقال محمد وزفر والشافعي رحمهم الله لا يجوز إلا بالماء لأنه يتنجس بأول الملاقاة والنجس لا يفيد الطهارة إلا أن هذا القياس ترك في الماء للضرورة ولهما أن المائع قالع والطهورية بعلة القلع والإزالة والنجاسة للمجاورة فإذا إنتهت أجزاء النجاسة يبقى طاهرا وجواب الكتاب لا يفرق بين الثوب والبدن وهذا قول أبي حنيفة رحمه الله وإحدى الروايتين عن أبي يوسف رحمه الله وعنه أنه فرق بينهما فلم يجوز في البدن بغير الماء ” وإذا أصاب الخف نجاسة لها جرم كالروث والعذرة والدم والمني فجفت فدلكه بالأرض جاز ” وهذا استحسان ” وقال محمد رحمه الله: لا يجوز ” وهو القياس ” إلا في المني خاصة ” لأن المتداخل في الخف لا يزيله الجفاف والدلك بخلاف المني على ما نذكره ولهما قوله عليه الصلاة والسلام ” فإن كان بهما أذى فليمسحهما بالأرض فإن الأرض لهما طهور “
كتاب الهداية في شرح بداية المبتدي
” لأنه لا تتداخله النجاسة وما على ظاهره يزول بالمسح ” وإن أصابت الأرض نجاسة فجفت بالشمس وذهب أثرها جازت الصلاة على مكانها “
كتاب الهداية في شرح بداية المبتدي 37:1
(يَجُوزُ رَفْعُ نَجَاسَةٍ حَقِيقِيَّةٍ عَنْ مَحَلِّهَا) وَلَوْ إنَاءً أَوْ مَأْكُولًا عُلِمَ مَحَلُّهَا أَوْ لَا (بِمَاءٍ لَوْ مُسْتَعْمَلًا) بِهِ يُفْتَى (وَبِكُلِّ مَائِعٍ طَاهِرٍ قَالِعٍ) لِلنَّجَاسَةِ يَنْعَصِرُ بِالْعَصْرِ
كتاب حاشية ابن عابدين = رد المحتار ط الحلبي 1:309
