Types of Cleanliness in Islam

Cleanliness in Islam

Cleanliness in Islam is of two types, each essential for a Muslim's worship and daily life:

Cleanliness from Najasah (impurities)
Cleanliness from Hadas (ritual impurity)

What is Najasah?

In general, Najasah refers to all impure and unpleasant things. In Islamic terminology, Najasah refers to specific substances that render the prayer invalid, such as blood, feces, and urine, if they are present on the body, clothes, or place of prayer.

The Seven Most Important Impure (Najas) Substances

1. Alcoholic Beverages and All Intoxicating Substances

All intoxicants are considered impure (Najas) and forbidden (Haram).

Quranic Verse:

"Indeed, intoxicants and gambling are but defilement and abomination from the work of Satan." (Quran)

Hadith:

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Every intoxicating substance is Khamr (alcoholic beverage), and every Khamr is Haram (forbidden)."

Narrator: Ibn Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) Source: Muslim 2003

2. The Impurities of Dogs 🐕 and Pigs 🐖

Both dogs and pigs are considered impure (Najas). If they touch a person's body, clothes, or a place while wet, it must be washed seven times, one of which should be with earth (soil).

Hadith:

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "If a dog drinks water from the vessel of anyone of you, let him wash it seven times, and one time with earth."

Source: Daraqutni 65/1 Narrator: Abu Huraira (May Allah be pleased with him)

3. Dead Animals (Carrion) 💀

All animals that died without being slaughtered according to Islamic rites are impure (Najas). Eating them is also Haram (forbidden). This includes animals slaughtered without mentioning Allah's name, and those slaughtered in the name of other deities.

Quranic Verses:

"Forbidden to you are dead animals..." (Quran, Al-Ma'idah 3)

"...and that which has been slaughtered for other than Allah..." (Quran, Al-Ma'idah 3)

Although all dead animals are impure, Islam makes an exception for three:

The human body after death: It is not considered impure. It is pure (Tahir) and can be touched, washed, and carried.

Quranic Verse:

Allah says in Surah Al-Isra 80: "And We have certainly honored the children of Adam..." Therefore, a human is honored in life and after death.

Hadith:

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Allah is pure and does not make a Muslim impure." Source: Al-Bukhari, Hadith 279

It is also recorded in Bukhari: "A Muslim does not become impure, whether alive or dead." This was stated by Ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him).

Locusts and fish: These are considered pure. Eating them after they die naturally is also Halal (permissible).

Hadith:

A hadith recorded in Ibn Majah states: "Two dead things and two bloods have been made lawful for you: the two dead things are fish and locusts, and the two bloods are the spleen and the liver."

4. Flowing Blood 🩸 and "Seal" (likely meant to refer to a specific type of seafood)

Flowing blood is considered impure.

Quranic Verse:

Allah says: "Or blood that has been shed or pork - for indeed, it is [a] abomination."

Two types of blood are not considered impure:

Spleen
Liver

Hadith:

A hadith recorded in Ibn Majah states: "Two dead things and two bloods have been made lawful for you: the two dead things are fish and locusts..."

5. Human Urine and Feces, and Animal Urine and Feces 🚽

Human urine and feces, as well as the urine and feces of animals, are considered impure.

Hadith:

"A Bedouin urinated in the mosque, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Pour a bucket of water over it.'"

6. Every Part Separated from a Living Animal is Impure ✂️

"What is cut off from animals while they are alive is like carrion" (and thus impure).

The hair and feathers of animals that are permissible to eat are an exception, as they are considered pure.

Quranic Verse:

"And from their wool and their fur and their hair is furnishing and comfort for a time." (Quran 16:80)

7. The Milk of Animals that are not Eaten 🥛

Such as the milk of a donkey, because its milk is like its meat, and its meat is impure.

Search This Blog