Lesson 12: Purifying Things (Muṭahhirāt 2) (Things That Purify an Impure Object)

Fourth: Transformation (Istiḥālah)

1. If the nature of an impure object is changed so that its original state does not remain and it takes on a new name, it will become pure; for example, impure wood burns and becomes ash, it is pure. However, if its original nature does not change, such as impure wheat being turned into flour or baked into bread, it cannot be purified (Issue 233).
2. A clay pitcher or something similar made from impure clay is impure. Also, charcoal, made from impure wood, is impure (Issue 234).

Fifth:  Change (Inqilāb)

1. It is a change from one state to another; for example, if wine turns into vinegar by itself or by pouring something like vinegar or salt into it, it becomes pure (Issue 236).
2. If grape juice boils on fire or by itself, it becomes unlawful (Ḥarām). When it boils in the fire so much that two-thirds of it reduces, and only one-third remains, it becomes lawful (Ḥalāl) to drink (Issue 240).

Sixth: Transfer (Intiqāl)

When an impurity is transferred from one living being to another, such as the blood from an animal whose blood gushes out, transfers to another animal that does not have gushing blood, and is considered to be the blood of another animal, the blood is pure. The process is called transfer (Intiqāl). However, the blood a leech suckes from a human being is impure (Issue 247).

Seventh: Islam

If a disbeliever declares in any language the shahādatayn (two testimonies), i.e. he testifies to the oneness of Allāh and the prophethood of the Seal of the Prophets (Prophet Muḥammad( (ṢA):

«اَشهدُ اَنْ لا الهَ اِلاّ اللهُ وَاَشْهَدُ اَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسولُ الله».

(Ashhadu an lā ilāha illallāhu wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan rasūlullāh)

He becomes a Muslim, and all the laws of a Muslim apply to him, like purifying. But his impure things will not be purified (Issues 249 & 250).

Eighth: Subjection (Tāba̒iyyat)

Subjection means that an impure object becomes pure through the purity of another object; for example, if wine becomes vinegar, its container also becomes pure. The well equipment is purified by purifying the well. A board or stone on which a dead body is bathed (Ceremonial bath) is purified afterward (Issues 252, 253 & 255).

Ninth. Removal of Intrinsic Impurity (Original Najāsat)

Removing the Intrinsic impurity (Original Najāsat) causes purification in two places: (Issue 259)

1. If an animal’s body becomes impure with an intrinsic impurity like blood, it will become pure when the impurity is removed.
2. The inner parts of the human body become pure when an impurity is removed from them like blood on the teeth is removed with saliva, so there is no need to purify the inside of the mouth with water (Issue 260).

 The Tenth: Istibrā of Feces-Eating Animal

1 The urine and feces of an animal that is habituated to eat human excrement are impure, and it can be made pure by Istibrā (confining), i.e., it must be prevented from eating impurity for some time and be fed pure food.

2. It is necessary to prevent the following animals from eating human feces for a specified period:
3. A camel for forty days;
4. A cow for thirty days;
   3. A sheep for ten days;
5. A duck for seven or five days;
6. A domestic hen for three days (Issue 263).

Eleventh: Absence of a Muslim

When a Muslim’s body, clothes, dishes, or carpets have become impure, and the Muslim is absent, they are purified with six conditions:

1. The Muslim should consider anything that makes his body or clothing impure as impure;
2. He should know that his dress or body has contacted an impure thing;
3. He uses an object that requires purity, such as pure clothes, in prayer;
4. The Muslim must know the condition of purity of an object in an action;
5. The possibility of purifying an impure object by a Muslim;
6. As a precaution, the Muslim must be an adult (baligh) (Issue 264).

Twelve: Flowing of a Normal Amount of Blood

The blood that remains in the body of an animal that has been slaughtered according to Islamic law is pure if a normal amount of blood has already come out. It’s only applicable to animals whose meat is lawful to eat (Ḥalāl) (Issue 268).

Thirteen: Purifying the Anus with Stone and Cloth

The anus is purified with three stones, three lumps, or three old cloths that remove the same impurity. If three stones do not purify the anus, it must be repeated until the anus is purified. However, the urinary outlet can only be purified by water (Issue 270).

The Laws of Utensils

One-The Decoration and Maintenance of Gold and Silver Utensils

Making gold and silver Utensils, buying and selling them to decorate the room, and keeping them as a protection must be left (Issue 272).

Two- Using Gold and Silver Utensils

Using gold or silver utensils for eating or drinking as protection is unlawful (Ḥarām) (Issue 272).

Third- The Method of Purifying Utensils

1. The utensils must be washed three times with flowing water, Qalīl, or Kurr water if it has become impure with wine (Issue 191).
2. Utensils from which a dog has drunk water or liquid first must be scrubbed with pure soil, removed with water, then washed twice with Qalīl water or once with Kurr water (Issue 188).
3. If a pig has licked or eaten something from utensils, it must be washed seven times with Qalīl, Kurr, or flowing water, and scrubbing it with soil is unnecessary (Issue 190).
4. Purifying impure other utensils: (Issue188)
5. a) It must be washed three times with water less than Kurr (Qalīl( in two ways:

One. Utensils must be filled with water and emptied thrice;

Water is poured into it, then swirled around it three times to reach all the impure parts of utensils, and then emptied.

1. b) It is sufficient if washed once in Kurr, running, or flowing water.
2. A large impure container is purified in two ways:
3. a) Water is filled and then emptied three times;
4. b) Three times, water is poured into it from above, reaching all its sides, and each time, water that collects at the bottom is emptied. On the second and third times, the container to empty the water must be washed with water (Issue 194)

Four-Utensils Made from Dead Animals, Dogs, and Pig

Eating or drinking from Utensils that are made from the skin of a dog, pig, or dead animal (that has not been slaughtered in accordance with Islamic law) is unlawful (Harām) (Issue 271).

Question:

What is the user’s responsibility if a house is built with impure bricks, sand, and other materials and the sun does not shine?

Answer:

According to the question, the outside and inside of the house must be washed twice with Qalīl water so that the water flows.

Exercises:

1. What is the difference between Change (Inqilāb) and Transformation (Istiḥālah)?
2. How are feces-eating animals purified?
3. What is the method of purifying Utensils with Qalīl water?

4. How does a large container get purified with