The Shariah has divided water into 4 kinds

Mutlaq Water

Considered pure because of its inherent purity and can be used by an individual to purify himself/herself. It consists of the following categories:

Rain water, snow & hail – all are pure

Allah says: “We send down purifying water from the sky”

[Al-Furqan 25:48]

Sea Water

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “Its (the sea) water is pure & its dead (animals) are lawful (i.e. they can be eaten without any prescribed slaughtering).” [Related by “the five” incl Tirmidhi & Bukhari]

Water from Zamzam well

Altered water

Water whose form has been altered because of it being in a place for a long period of time, or because of the place it is located, or because of its being mixed with a substance that cannot be completely removed from it (i.e. water mixed with algae, tree leaves etc).

Used water

Wudu or ghusl water (which drips from a person)

considered pure because it was pure before ablution and there is no basis think it has lost its purity.

Water mixed with pure elements

Includes water mixed with substances like soap, saffron, flowers etc.

Objects considered pure by the Shariah. Considered pure as long as it’s not mixed with other substances so that it is no longer considered water.

Mixed with impure objects

Water mixed with impure objects

The impure substance alters the taste, colour or odour of the water cannot be used for purification. The impure substance has not altered in its taste, colour or odour (still considered water) – can be used for purification.

Leftover

Leftover Water – what remains in a pot after some of it is drunk.

5 Types:

1. Water leftover after people have drunk from the pot Water is still considered pure, regardless whether drunk by a Muslim, disbeliever, a person in junab or haid.

2. Water left in a container after an “allowable” animal (i.e. an animal whose meat is permissible to eat) has drunk from it. Considered pure as animal is permissible to consume.

3. Water remaining in a pot after it has been drunk by a donkey, mule, beasts or birds of prey considered pure.

4. Water remaining in a pot after a cat has drunk from it considered pure.

5. Water left in a pot after a pig or dog has drunk from it considered impure.

Najasah

Impurities (Najasah)

Najasah refers to impure substances that Muslims must avoid and wash off if they should contaminate their clothes, body etc

Types of Impurities:

Dead Animals – refers to animals that die from “natural causes” (without proper Islamic slaughtering). Also includes anything that is cut off a live animal.

The following are exceptions to this rule:

Dead animals of the sea and dead locusts.

Dead animals that have no running blood (i.e. bees, ants etc).

The bones horns, claws, fur, feathers, skin etc of dead animals.

Blood – the blood that does not flow out (from a slaughtered animal), but remains in the veins is permissible. Blood that flows out at the time of slaughtering is forbidden. Also includes menstruation blood which is impure

Pig’ Meat – According to most of the scholars it’s permissible to knit with pig’s hair. The meat is forbidden.

Vomiting of a person, urine and excrement – impure.

However, slight amount of vomit and urine of an unweaned male baby are overlooked and pardoned - sufficient just to sprinkle with water. Urine of a baby girl is to be washed off.

Others

Al – Wadi (thick white secretion discharge after urination) – considered impure. Private parts should be washed and ablution performed. Ghusl not necessary.

Al-Madhi/Prostatic fluid (semen) – white sticky fluid that flows from sexual organs due to thinking about sexual intercourse or foreplay etc. Comes from male and female sexual organs. Considered impure and must be washed off and ablution performed.

Al Mani or Sperm – some scholars say it is impure, but it’s pure as recommended to wash it off if still wet and to scratch it off if dry. Ghusl needs to be performed if it is discharged owing to stimulation.

The status of urine and stools of animals permissible to eat – impure

Al-Jallalah – refers to an animal that eats the waste or flesh of other animals. Forbidden to drink such animal’s milk, to ride them or consume its meat.

Alcohol – impure according to most scholars.

Dogs – impure. Any container licked by a dog must be washed 7 times, first washing being with dirt.

Useful Point

The ground is purified by pouring water over it. Impure liquid is purified by it drying and impure solid is purified by its removal/decay.

Tanning purifies the skin and fur of a dead animal.

Doubt

If liquid falls on a person and he does not know if it was water or urine, he need not to inquire about it. The one who is asked need not to answer him even if he knows the liquid to be impure. In that case, there is no need for the person to wash his clothes.

Etiquettes of going to the bathroom:

It is not proper for one to carry something that has Allah’s name upon it (unless one fears of losing it or having it stolen) while going to the bathroom.

One should move and hide oneself from others.

Etiquette of toilet

One should mention the name of Allah and seek refuge in Him when entering privy or removing his clothes to relieve himself.

One should not talk unless necessary.

One should neither face nor turn his back on the qiblah whilst relieving himself.

One may not urinate whilst standing. Permissible if can guarantee no impurities will touch him.

One should not clean himself with his right hand.

Enter bathroom with left foot and exit with right foot.

Acts that correspond to the nature of mankind

These acts distinguish Muslims from the rest of mankind:

Circumcision – prevents dirt entering and makes it easy to keep clean.

Shaving pubic and underarm hairs

Acts of nature

Clipping one’s finger nails, trimming and shaving the moustache – preferred to be done on a weekly basis but no longer then 40 days.

Leaving grey hairs in place - not plucking them, however permissible to dye.

wudu

Ablution means to wash one’s face, hands, arms, head and feet with water.

Wudhu is part of Islamic Law: Wudu to clean specific limbs as prescribed by the shari’ah.

Quran – Allah says: O you who have believed, when you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles. And if you are in a state of janabah, then purify yourselves. But if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women and do not find water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and hands with it. Allah does not intend to make difficulty for you, but He intends to purify you and complete His favour upon you that you may be grateful. [Al-Ma’idah:6]

Hadith – Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “Allah does not accept the prayer of one who nullified his ablution until he performs it again.” [Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud & at-Tirmidhi]

Obligatory parts of ablution

– must be fulfilled for wudhu to be valid:

Intention – purely an act of the heart.

Umar related that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “Every action is based on the intention (behind it) and everyone shall have what he intended….” Related by “the group”.

Washing the face

Washing the arms to the elbow

Wiping the head – Prophet (pbuh) used to wipe his head 3 different ways

a. Wiping all of his head – The Prophet (pbuh) wiped his entire head with his hands. He started with the front of his head, then moved to the back and then returned his hands to the front. (Related by “the group”)

b. Wiping over the turbun only –

Said ‘Amru ibn Umayyah, “I saw the Messenger of Allah, upon whom be peace, wipe over his turban and shoes.” [Related by Ahmad, Bukhari & Ibn Majah). Bilal reported that the Prophet, upon him be peace, said, “Wipe over your shoes and headcovering.” (Related by Ahmad).

c. Wiping over the front portion of the scalp and turban –

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh), made ablution and wiped over the front portion of his scalp, his turban and his socks. (Related by Muslim).

Washing the feet and the heels

Following the prescribed sequence – Allah mentioned the obligation in a specific order. The Prophet (pbuh) maintained this sequence.

The Sunan acts of the ablution

Mentioning the name of Allah at the beginning

Dental Hygiene – The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Were it not to be hardship on my community, I would have ordered them to use a toothbrush for every ablution.” (Related by Malik, ash-Shaf’I, al-Baihaqi and al-Hakim). The Prophet (pbuh) said: “

The toothbrush purifies the mouth and is pleasing to the Lord.” (Related by Ahmad, an-Nisa’i and at-Tirmidhi)

Repeating each washing 3 times (except wiping the head)

Running one’s finger through his beard

Beginning each action with the right side

Rubbing the limbs with water

Close sequence

Wiping the ears

Elongating the streams of light –

– this refers to washing the complete forehead and washing above the elbows and ankles. Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “My nation will come with bright streaks of light from the traces of ablution.” Abu Hurairah then said, “If one can lengthen his steak of light, he should do so.” [Related by Ahmad, Bukhari and Muslim]

Economising the use of water, even if one is in front of the sea

Supplication after ablution – Umar reported that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “If one completes (and perfects) the ablution and says:

‘I testify that there is no god except Allah, the One who has no partner and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger” the eight gates of paradise will be opened for him and he may enter any of them that he wishes.” [Muslim]

Praying two rak’ah after ablution – The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “If one performs and perfects his ablution and prays two rak’ah with his heart and face (completely on his prayer), Paradise becomes his.” [Muslim, Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah]

Notes:

Supplication while performing ablution – nothing authentic to support this.

It is permissible to speak while performing ablution – there is nothing reported from the sunnah that prohibits this.

Nullification of Ablution:

An excretion of the penis, vagina or anus

Deep sleep that makes a person completely unaware of his surroundings

Loss of consciousness

Touching the sexual organ without any “barrier” (e.g. clothes) between the hand and the organ

Does not nullify

Actions that do not nullify the ablution

Touching a woman

Bleeding from an unusual place – this involves bleeding due to a wound, cupping or a nosebleed and regardless of whether the amount of blood is small or large.

Said al-Hassan, “The Muslims still prayed even while wounded.” [Bukhari]. He also reported, “Ibn Umar squeezed a pimple until it bleed, but he did not renew his ablution, Ibn Abi Uqiyy spat blood and continued his prayer. Umar ibn al-Khattab prayed while blood was flowing from him. Ibbad ibn Bishr was hit with an arrow while praying, but continued his prayers.” [Related by Abu Dawud and Bukhari].

Vomit – regardless of whether the amount of vomit was small or large. There is no sound hadtih that nullifies this ablution

Eating camel meat

Of doubts whether or not one has released gas – this is the case where the person cannot quite recall if he is in a state of purity or not. Such a state of mind does not nullify ablution, regardless of whether the person is in prayer or not, until he is certain that he has nullified his ablution.

Abbad ibn Tameen related that his uncle queried the Prophet (pbuh) about a person who feels something in his abdomen while praying. Said the Prophet (pbuh) “He should not leave (the prayer) until he hears it or smells it.” [Muslim, Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi]

Laughing during prayer

Washing a dead person

When compulsory

Actions that require ablution as a prerequisite

Three actions require ablution in order for them to be accepted by Islamic Law. These are:

Any type of ritual prayer – this involves only obligatory, voluntary or funeral prayers.

Circumambulating the Ka’bah – Ibn Abbas reported that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “Circumambulation is a type of prayer, but Allah has permitted speaking during it. Whoever speaks during it should only speak good.” [at-Tirmidhi]

Difference of opinion

Touching a copy of the Quran – some scholars says it permissible without ablution but preferred.

Actions for which a state of purity is preferred

While mentioning the name of Allah

Going to sleep

To remove a sexual impurity – if a person in a state of post-sex impurity wants to eat, drink or have intercourse again, he should perform ablution.

Before performing ghusl

Before eating food touched by fire

Renewing the ablution for every prayer

Wiping over

Wiping over the socks

Wiping over the socks is part of the sunnah.

Wiping over slippers –allowed, has been related from many companions.

Conditions for wiping over socks – one must have put his socks on (or whatever he is using) while in a state of purity.

The place to be wiped – Islamic law prescribes that the top of the socks is to be wiped.

The duration of the wiping

- Resident – one day and night

- Traveller – 3 days and nights

What invalidates the wiping

The end of the permissible time period for wiping.

Post-sex impurity.

Removal of the socks if (i) or (iii) occurs while the person was in a state of purity, he need only wash his feet.

GhuslTHE COMPLETE ABLUTION (AL-GHUSL)

Ghusl means to wash the entire body with water. Allah says in the Quran: And they ask you about menstruation. Say, "It is harm, so keep away from 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." [al-Baraqah:222]

Actions requiring ghusl

Such actions are 5 in number:

Discharge of al-Mani owing to stimulation while asleep or awake – the opinion of jurists in general is that ghusl is a must should one have a discharge of al-mani (sperm) owing to stimulation while asleep or awake.

Some points of importance:

1-If sperm is discharged without any type of stimulation (owing to illness or extreme cold) – in this case ghusl is not obligatory.

If a man squeezes his penis to prevent ejaculation – no need for ghusl. Ghusl is required if sperm can be seen.

Sperm on the clothes during prayer –

if a man does not know how the sperm got on his clothes and he has already prayed, should he perform ghusl and repeat all of his prayers since the last time he slept? If he thinks that it happened before his most recent sleep, he should repeat all of his prayers since the supposed time of his ejaculation.

Touching the two circumcised parts – this refers to the penis and vagina. If one’s penis has entered his wife’s vagina, ghusl is obligatory even if there was no ejaculation.

Women on their period

Death – when a Muslim dies it obligatory to wash his/her body.

A non-Muslim upon embracing Islam

Actions that are forbidden to the impure

Prayer

Circumambulating the Ka’bah

Touching or carrying the Quran – The companions were all agreed that it is forbidden to touch or carry the Quran while one is in a state of impurity. Some jurists allow the physically unclean person, whether because of sex or menstruation, to touch or carry the Quran and see nothing wrong with this.

Evidence used is the hadith when the Prophet (pbuh) sent a letter to Heraclius with a verse (al-Imran:64)

"O People of the Scripture, come to a word that is equitable between us and you - that we will not worship except Allah and not associate anything with Him and not take one another as lords instead of Allah ." But if they turn away, then say, "Bear witness that we are Muslims [submitting to Him]."

from the Quran. Majority of the scholars answer this by stating that one is allowed to touch parts of the Quran that are used in letters, books, tafsir etc as such things are not copies of the Quran.

Reciting the Quran – there is ikhtilaf on this. Some scholars say you are allowed some say that you are not allowed.

Staying in the Mosque

Actions for which ghusl is preferred

These actions involve a reward for performing ghusl and no blame for leaving it:

Before the Friday prayer – The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Whoever makes the ablution and perfects it and then goes to the Friday prayer and listens attentively, will have forgiveness during (the period) between the Friday and the next (Friday), and an additional three days.” [Muslim].

The time for Friday ghusl is between dawn and the time of the Friday prayer.

2-If one has a wet dream but does not find any traces of ejaculation – no need for ghusl.

3-If one wakes from sleep and finds some moistness, but does not recall any wet dream, though he is sure it is sperm, what should he do? – to be safe he should perform ghusl.

Sunan times

Performing ghusl for the Eid prayers

Ghusl for washing a corpse

Making ghusl for Hajj