Fatwa ID: 07768
Answered by: Mawlana Abdurrahman Mohammad
Question:
I recently became aware that a pair of shoes I own may contain pigskin. Upon reaching out to the brand for clarification, I was informed that whilst my particular shoes are made of cow leather, they often use pig’s glue in the production of their shoes. When I inquired whether pig glue was used specifically in my pair, they were unable to provide a definitive answer.
Given this uncertainty, I am concerned about the possibility of najasa being transferred to my feet. On occasion, I wear these shoes when my feet are wet, and at times I step barefoot or change into other footwear while my feet remain damp. I also washed the shoes in my washing machine at one point and wore them while still wet. I am now wondering whether any of these circumstances may have led to the spread of impurity.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Pig is Considered Impure in the Shariah
Pig and its byproducts are considered Najis Al-‘Ayn (intrinsically impure) in Islamic law. Allah (SWT) says in the Qur’an:
“Prohibited to you are dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine…”[1]
Therefore, any product derived from pigs, whether it be from skin, flesh, bones, cartilage, or glue, is deemed impure. If such an impurity transfers onto one’s body, clothing, or other items, or it spreads from one surface to another surface, it is obligatory to wash the affected area. Praying while in contact with such impurity deems the prayer invalid.
The Use of Animal-Based Glue in Shoes
You mentioned that while your shoes are made of cow leather which is generally purified by tanning, there is uncertainty regarding the glue which may contain pig byproducts. Since you mentioned that the company often uses pig glue in the production of their shoes, there is a good chance that your shoes might also contain pig glue. It is worth noting that many modern manufacturers use synthetic glues, but some brand companies and high-end products still utilize animal-derived products. If the use of animal-based glue is confirmed, then it is best to discard that product and avoid wearing it in the future.
How Najasa Transfers
Dried impurities spread when they become wet and come into contact with other surfaces under certain conditions. If the glue in the shoe were such that it could dissolve, mix with water, or be affected by moisture, washing the shoe would reactivate the impurity and would cause it to spread to other parts of the shoe. If someone were to wear the shoe, the impurity could transfer onto their foot. If they then removed the shoe and walked around with wet feet, the impurity could potentially spread to every surface they stepped on.
The following would apply in this situation:
If he places his wet foot on impure ground or an impure rug, it will not become impure. But if he places it [his foot] dry on a wet impure rug, if it gets wet, it will become impure, and the moisture is not considered.[2]
Cured and Hydrophobic Glues
Most glues today after curing and hardening typically become water-resistant and unaffected by water. Most industrial glues are hydrophobic, meaning they repel water and do not dissolve in water. Water would not reduce the strength of these glues, nor would these glues wash away. To remove such glues, they would need to be cut, scraped, or dissolved in specific chemical solutions. This makes it unlikely for such glues to transfer the impurities inside them, even when wet. For these glues, impurity would spread only if its traces are visible on the affected surface.
The following cases would apply:
If a man sleeps on a bed and semen gets on it and it dries, and the man sweats and the bed gets wet from his sweat, if no trace of the wetness is visible on his body, it does not become impure. But if the sweat is so much that the bed gets wet, then the wetness of the bed gets on his body and its trace is visible on his body, his body becomes impure.[3]
If a dried impurity becomes wet but its traces (colour, odour, taste, or substance) are not found, one can assume the impurity did not transfer:
If a dog sleeps on the masjid’s mat: If it is dry, it does not become impure. But if it is wet and no trace of impurity is visible, then it is like that [it does not become impure]. [4]
It is important to note that some of these glues can be affected by temperature or detergents, so washing with warm water or soap can loosen the glue. It is important to contact the manufacturer to obtain detailed information about the glue used, including its composition, properties, and the factors that could dissolve or reactivate it, potentially causing the impurity to spread.
Conclusion
If the glue is confirmed to be animal-based and resembles the type that mixes with water, it becomes obligatory to clean all affected surfaces and repeat any prayers performed while wearing those shoes or with feet wet from contact with them.
If the glue is cured and hydrophobic, check for traces of impurity (colour, odour, substance, etc.). Since you washed these shoes in a washing machine, the temperature of the water, the detergent, or the spinning of the machine may have affected the glue. The safest practice would be to take precautions and clean all affected surfaces and repeat all prayers affected by these shoes.
Only Allah knows best.
Written by Mawlana Abdurrahman Mohammad
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
References:
[1] حُرِّمَتْ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْمَيْتَةُ وَٱلدَّمُ وَلَحْمُ ٱلْخِنزِيرِ
(Surah Al-Mā’idah 5:3)
[2] وَلَوْ وَضَعَ رِجْلَهُ الْمَبْلُولَةَ عَلَى أَرْضٍ نَجِسَةٍ أَوْ بِسَاطٍ نَجِسٍ لَا يَتَنَجَّسُ وَإِنْ وَضَعَهَا جَافَّةً عَلَى بِسَاطٍ نَجِسٍ رَطْبٍ إنْ ابْتَلَّتْ تَنَجَّسَتْ وَلَا تُعْتَبَرُ النَّدَاوَةُ هُوَ الْمُخْتَارُ كَذَا فِي السِّرَاجِ الْوَهَّاجِ نَاقِلًا عَنْ الْفَتَاوَى
(Al-Fatāwā Al-Hindiyya, vol. 1, pg. 47, Al-Maṭba’ah Al-Kubrā Al-Amīriyyah)
[3] إذَا نَامَ الرَّجُلُ عَلَى فِرَاشٍ فَأَصَابَهُ مَنِيٌّ وَيَبِسَ فَعَرِقَ الرَّجُلُ وَابْتَلَّ الْفِرَاشُ مِنْ عَرَقِهِ إنْ لَمْ يَظْهَرْ أَثَرُ الْبَلَلِ فِي بَدَنِهِ لَا يَتَنَجَّسُ وَإِنْ كَانَ الْعَرَقُ كَثِيرًا حَتَّى ابْتَلَّ الْفِرَاشُ ثُمَّ أَصَابَ بَلَلُ الْفِرَاشِ جَسَدَهُ فَظَهَرَ أَثَرُهُ فِي جَسَدِهِ يَتَنَجَّسُ بَدَنُهُ كَذَا فِي فَتَاوَى قَاضِي خَانْ.
(Al-Fatāwā Al-Hindiyya, vol. 1, pg. 47, Al-Maṭba’ah Al-Kubrā Al-Amīriyyah)
[4] إذَا نَامَ الْكَلْبُ عَلَى حَصِيرِ الْمَسْجِدِ إنْ كَانَ يَابِسًا لَا يَتَنَجَّسُ وَإِنْ كَانَ رَطْبًا وَلَمْ يَظْهَرْ أَثَرُ النَّجَاسَةِ فَكَذَلِكَ
(Al-Fatāwā Al-Hindiyya, vol. 1, pg. 48, Al-Maṭba’ah Al-Kubrā Al-Amīriyyah)
