How to Clean Najasa?

Question:

How can I wash off impurity (Najasah) in a correct manner? I hope you can explain the following scenarios:

1. Cleansing impurity from a smooth, impermeable surface, as opposed to a permeable surface (I have heard that you do not need to use water on a smooth, impermeable surface). Also, how many times does it have to be washed with water?

2. How can we make cushions and pillows, and all thick items, pure?

3. How many times must urine/non-visible impurities be washed from clothing? Also, do we have to wring them out or is it sufficient to wash them under running water, using the same amount of water as we would use to wash them and wring them out?

4. I have heard that we can submerge the clothing in a vessel filled with water that is three times the amount of urine (so let’s say that the urine is 100 ml; we can submerge that part of the garment in 300 ml of water without needing to wring it out). Or if we put the clothes in the bathtub, the impurity will not affect the water. Is that correct? If it is correct, what about non-visible impurity that we cannot see?

5. Are washing machines good to get rid of impurity, if the cycle is not 3 times? The clothes come out with no trace of impurity.

6. The following question is somewhat related: can I use detergents if I do not know whether any ingredients in them of animal origin are prohibited or not? Will this make all the clothes impure (especially if the detergents use ingredients of animal origin)? Or are all detergents permissible because they do not have the physical characteristics of the animal?

Summary of answer

1. Items that are solid and smooth (impermeable) may be purified by wiping them.

2. If the impure substance gets onto cushions and large furnishings, water should be poured on the impure spot, until the water overwhelms the impure substance that got onto it.

3. There is no religious text which states the number of times impurity must be washed, except the impurity of a dog only, which must be washed seven times.

4. If impurity falls into water, it does not become impure unless it is changed thereby, such as if its colour or smell is changed.

5. If the impure garment is washed in a washing machine and the trace of impurity is removed from it, then it becomes pure thereby.

1. Using Water (Preferred Method)

Washing with Water: The most common and preferred method of cleaning Najasa is to wash the affected area with clean water until no trace of the impurity remains (sight, smell, or color).
Multiple Washes: In some cases, especially when the impurity is particularly stubborn (like heavy blood stains), it may be necessary to wash the area multiple times until it is thoroughly clean.
Rinsing Until Clear: For liquid impurities like urine, water should be poured over the contaminated area until the water runs clear and no sign of the impurity remains.

2. Cleaning with Solid Materials

Dry Cleaning (for private parts): In the case of cleaning after urination or defecation (Istinja), if water is not available, it is permissible to use clean, dry materials like stones, tissues, or toilet paper to wipe the area.
Three Wipes Minimum: The general rule is to wipe at least three times or more until the area is clean. Using an odd number of wipes (like three or five) is preferred.

3. Special Cases:

Dog Saliva: If a dog’s saliva comes into contact with a surface or person, the affected area should be washed seven times. One of the washes should be with clean soil or earth mixed into the water (according to Hadith).
Pig Contamination: If anything from a pig comes into contact with you (such as its flesh), the contaminated area must also be washed multiple times thoroughly with water.

4. Washing Clothes

Impurity on Clothes: If Najasa, such as blood, urine, or feces, gets on your clothes, you must wash the affected area until the impurity is removed. The clothing should be rinsed thoroughly and wrung out to ensure all traces of Najasa are gone.
Use of Detergent: You can use soap or detergent to help remove impurities, especially if dealing with stubborn stains.

5. Cleaning the Body

Washing the Body: If an impurity comes into contact with the skin, the affected area should be washed with clean water until no trace of Najasa is left.
Multiple Washes for Serious Impurities: For certain major impurities (like after menstruation, childbirth, or sexual activity), a full-body Ghusl (ritual bath) is required.

6. Cleaning Surfaces

Hard Surfaces (like floors): If an impurity spills on a hard surface, such as urine on the floor, the area should be wiped clean with water. If the surface is porous (like a carpet), it may need to be scrubbed with water and soap until the impurity is fully removed.
Dry the Area: After washing, it’s important to dry the surface to ensure that no remaining moisture spreads the impurity.

7. Soil or Earth

Absorbing Liquids: In certain cases, soil or sand can be used to absorb liquids, such as when there is no access to water. For example, if urine falls on a dirt surface, the affected soil can be scooped away, removing the impurity.

8. Tayammum (When Water is Unavailable)

No Water for Cleaning: Tayammum can be performed for ritual purification if water is unavailable or cannot be used (due to illness, etc.). However, Tayammum is only for cleansing the body for acts of worship, not for physically removing impurities from clothing, surfaces, or skin.