What Defiles Clothing and the Body

Man Lā Yaḥḍuruh al-Faqīh|Volume 1|Book 1|Chapter 17

Man Lā Yaḥḍuruh al-Faqīh

Book 1, Chapter 17

What Defiles Clothing and the Body
21 hadiths · 6 commentaries
Hadith 1

كَانَ أَمِيرُ اَلْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ لاَ يَرَى فِي اَلْمَذْيِ وُضُوءاً وَ لاَ غَسْلَ مَا أَصَابَ اَلثَّوْبَ مِنْهُ.

The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s) did not consider the pre-seminal fluid (madhi) to invalidate ablution or require ritual wash, nor did he deem it necessary to wash clothing that had been affected by it”.

Hadith 2

وَ رُوِيَ: «أَنَّ اَلْمَذْيَ وَ اَلْوَذْيَ بِمَنْزِلَةِ اَلْبُصَاقِ وَ اَلْمُخَاطِ فَلاَ يُغْسَلُ مِنْهُمَا اَلثَّوْبُ وَ لاَ اَلْإِحْلِيلُ.

It has been narrated that pre-seminal fluid (madhi) and post-urinal fluid (wadhi) are akin to saliva and mucus, so neither the garment nor the private parts need to be washed because of them.

Commentary 1

وهي أربعة أشياء: المني، والمذي، والوذي، والودي. فأما المني فهو الماء الغليظ الدافق الذي يوجب الغسل. والمذي ما يخرج قبل المني والوذي ما يخرج بعد المني على أثره، والودي ما يخرج على أثر البول، لا يجب في شئ من ذلك الغسل ولا الوضوء ولا غسل ثوب ولا غسل ما يصيب الجسد منه إلا المني.

These are four things: Semen (mani), pre-seminal fluid (madhi), post-seminal discharge (wadhi), and a fluid discharged after urination (wudi). Semen is a thick, gushing fluid that necessitates a full ritual bath (ghusl janabah). Madhi is what comes out before semen, wadhi is what comes out after semen, and wudi is what is discharged after urination. None of these, except semen, require a ritual ghusl), nor ablution (wudu), nor the washing of clothing, nor the washing of anything that comes into contact with the body.

Hadith 3

وَ سَأَلَ عَبْدُ اَللَّهِ بْنُ بُكَيْرٍ أَبَا عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: عَنِ اَلرَّجُلِ يَلْبَسُ اَلثَّوْبَ وَ فِيهِ اَلْجَنَابَةُ فَيَعْرَقُ فِيهِ فَقَالَ «إِنَّ اَلثَّوْبَ لاَ يُجْنِبُ اَلرَّجُلَ.

Abdullah ibn Bakir asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (a.s) about a man who wears a garment with janabah (ritual impurity from sexual activity) and sweats in it. Imam (a.s) said: 'The garment does not make the man ritually impure.'.

Hadith 4

وَ فِي خَبَرٍ آخَرَ: «أَنَّهُ لاَ يُجْنِبُ اَلثَّوْبُ اَلرَّجُلَ وَ لاَ اَلرَّجُلُ يُجْنِبُ اَلثَّوْبَ.

In another narration: 'A garment does not make a man ritually impure, nor does a man make a garment ritually impure.'

Hadith 5

وَ سَأَلَ زَيْدٌ اَلشَّحَّامُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: عَنِ اَلثَّوْبِ يَكُونُ فِيهِ اَلْجَنَابَةُ وَ تُصِيبُنِي اَلسَّمَاءُ حَتَّى يَبْتَلَّ عَلَيَّ فَقَالَ «لاَ بَأْسَ بِهِ.

Zayd al-Shahham asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (a.s) about a garment that has janabah (ritual impurity due to seminal discharge) and is then rained on, causing it to become wet while he is wearing it. Imam (a.s) said: 'There is no harm in it.'

Commentary 2

وإذا نام الرجل على فراش قد أصابه مني فعرق فيه فلا بأس به. ومتى عرق في ثوبه وهو جنب فليتنشف فيه إذا اغتسل، وإن كانت الجنابة من حلال فحلال الصلاة فيه، وإن كانت من حرام فحرام الصلاة فيه، وإذا عرقت الحائض في ثوب فلا بأس بالصلاة فيه.

If a man sleeps on a bed that has been affected by semen and then sweats on it, there is no issue with that either. If a person sweats in their garment while in a state of janabah, they may dry themselves with it after performing the ritual bath (ghusl). If the janabah occurred through permissible means, it is permissible to pray in that garment; if it was from impermissible (forbidden) means, then it is impermissible to pray in it. If a menstruating woman sweats in a garment, there is no issue with praying in that garment.

Hadith 6

وَقَالَ رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ لِبَعْضِ نِسَائِهِ «نَاوِلِينِي اَلْخُمْرَةَ» فَقَالَتْ لَهُ أَنَا حَائِضٌ فَقَالَ لَهَا «أَ حَيْضُكِ فِي يَدِكِ.

The Messenger of Allah (saws) said to one of his wives: "Hand me the khumrah (a small prayer mat)." She replied: "I am menstruating" He (saws) said: 'Is your menstruation in your hand?'

Hadith 7

وَ سَأَلَ مُحَمَّدٌ اَلْحَلَبِيُّ أَبَا عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: عَنْ رَجُلٍ أَجْنَبَ فِي ثَوْبِهِ وَ لَيْسَ مَعَهُ ثَوْبٌ غَيْرُهُ قَالَ «يُصَلِّي فِيهِ فَإِذَا وَجَدَ اَلْمَاءَ غَسَلَهُ.

Muhammad Al-Halabi asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (a.s) about a man who becomes junub (ritually impure due to seminal discharge) while wearing a garment and has no other garment to wear. Imam (a.s) said: 'He should pray in it, and when he finds water, he should wash it.'.

Hadith 8

وَ فِي خَبَرٍ آخَرَ: وَ أَعَادَ اَلصَّلاَةَ.

In another narration: 'And he should repeat the prayer.'.

Commentary 3

والثوب إذا أصابه البول غسل في ماء جار مرة، وإن غسل في ماء راكد فمرتين ثم يعصر، وإن كان بول الغلام الرضيع صب عليه الماء صبا، وإن كان قد أكل الطعام غسل، والغلام والجارية في هذا سواء.

If urine gets on a garment, it should be washed once in running water; if it is washed in still water, it should be washed twice and then wrung out. If it is the urine of a nursing boy, water should be poured over it; if he has begun eating food, it should be washed. A boy and a girl are the same in this regard.

Hadith 9

وَ قَدْ رُوِيَ عَنْ أَمِيرِ اَلْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ أَنَّهُ قَالَ: «لَبَنُ اَلْجَارِيَةِ وَ بَوْلُهَا يُغْسَلُ مِنْهُ اَلثَّوْبُ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَطْعَمَ لِأَنَّ لَبَنَهَا يَخْرُجُ مِنْ مَثَانَةِ أُمِّهَا وَ لَبَنُ اَلْغُلاَمِ لاَ يُغْسَلُ مِنْهُ اَلثَّوْبُ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَطْعَمَ وَ لاَ بَوْلُهُ لِأَنَّ لَبَنَ اَلْغُلاَمِ يَخْرُجُ مِنَ اَلْمَنْكِبَيْنِ وَ اَلْعَضُدَيْنِ.

It has been narrated from The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s): 'The milk and urine of a baby girl must be washed from clothing before She starts eating solid food because her milk is considered to come from her mother’s bladder. However, the milk and urine of a baby boy do not need to be washed from clothing before he starts eating solid food because his milk is considered to come from his shoulders and arms.'

Hadith 10

وَ سَأَلَ حَكَمُ بْنُ حُكَيْمٍ اِبْنُ أَخِي خَلاَّدٍ أَبَا عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: فَقَالَ لَهُ أَبُولُ فَلاَ أُصِيبُ اَلْمَاءَ وَ قَدْ أَصَابَ يَدِي شَيْءٌ مِنَ اَلْبَوْلِ فَأَمْسَحُهُ بِالْحَائِطِ وَ بِالتُّرَابِ ثُمَّ تَعْرَقُ يَدِي فَأَمَسُّ وَجْهِي أَوْ بَعْضَ جَسَدِي أَوْ يُصِيبُ ثَوْبِي فَقَالَ «لاَ بَأْسَ بِهِ.

Hakam ibn al-Hakim Akhi Khallad asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (a.s), saying to him: 'I urinate and do not find water, and some urine gets on my hand. I then wipe it on the wall or with dust. Later, my hand sweats, and I touch my face or some part of my body, or it touches my clothing.' Imam (a.s) said: 'There is no harm in it.'"

Hadith 11

وَ سَأَلَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ أَبِي مَحْمُودٍ اَلرِّضَا عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: عَنِ اَلطِّنْفِسَةِ وَ اَلْفِرَاشِ يُصِيبُهُمَا اَلْبَوْلُ كَيْفَ يُصْنَعُ وَ هُوَ ثَخِينٌ كَثِيرُ اَلْحَشْوِ فَقَالَ «يُغْسَلُ مِنْهُ مَا ظَهَرَ فِي وَجْهِهِ.

Ibrahim ibn Abi Mahmoud asked Imam Ali ibn Musa Ar-Ridha (a.s) about rug (al tanfasah) or mattress (al firash) that is affected by urine, especially if it is thick and heavily padded. Imam (a.s) said: 'You should wash the surface that is visible.'.

Hadith 12

وَ سَأَلَ حَنَانُ بْنُ سَدِيرٍ أَبَا عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ فَقَالَ - إِنِّي رُبَّمَا بُلْتُ فَلاَ أَقْدِرُ عَلَى اَلْمَاءِ وَ يَشْتَدُّ ذَلِكَ عَلَيَّ فَقَالَ «إِذَا بُلْتَ وَ تَمَسَّحْتَ فَامْسَحْ ذَكَرَكَ بِرِيقِكَ فَإِنْ وَجَدْتَ شَيْئاً فَقُلْ هَذَا مِنْ ذَاكَ.

Hanan ibn Sudair asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (a.s) saying: 'Sometimes I urinate and cannot find water, and it becomes difficult for me.' Imam (a.s) said: 'If you urinate and dry yourself, then wipe your private part with your saliva. If you notice anything afterward, say, "This is from that."'.

Hadith 13

وَ سُئِلَ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: عَنِ اِمْرَأَةٍ لَيْسَ لَهَا إِلاَّ قَمِيصٌ وَاحِدٌ وَ لَهَا مَوْلُودٌ فَيَبُولُ عَلَيْهَا كَيْفَ تَصْنَعُ قَالَ «تَغْسِلُ اَلْقَمِيصَ فِي اَلْيَوْمِ مَرَّةً »

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (a.s) was asked about a woman who has only one shirt and a child who urinates on her. What should She do? Imam (a.s) said: 'She should wash the shirt once a day.'.

Hadith 14

وَقَالَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ اَلنُّعْمَانِ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: أَخْرُجُ مِنَ اَلْخَلاَءِ فَأَسْتَنْجِي بِالْمَاءِ فَيَقَعُ ثَوْبِي فِي ذَلِكَ اَلْمَاءِ اَلَّذِي اِسْتَنْجَيْتُ بِهِ فَقَالَ «لاَ بَأْسَ بِهِ وَ لَيْسَ عَلَيْكَ شَيْءٌ.

Muhammad ibn al-Nu'man asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (a.s): 'I leave the restroom and perform istinja (cleansing) with water, and my clothing falls into the water used for istinja. Is there anything upon me?' Imam (a.s) said: 'There is no harm in it, and it does not affect you.'".

Hadith 15

وَقَالَ أَبُو اَلْحَسَنِ مُوسَى بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: فِي طِينِ اَلْمَطَرِ «إِنَّهُ لاَ بَأْسَ بِهِ أَنْ يُصِيبَ اَلثَّوْبَ ثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ إِلاَّ أَنْ يَعْلَمَ أَنَّهُ قَدْ نَجَّسَهُ شَيْءٌ بَعْدَ اَلْمَطَرِ فَإِنْ أَصَابَهُ بَعْدَ ثَلاَثَةِ أَيَّامٍ غَسَلَهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ طَرِيقاً نَظِيفاً لَمْ يَغْسِلْهُ.

Abu Al-Hasan Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim (a.s) said regarding rain-soaked mud: 'There is no harm if it comes into contact with clothing for three days, unless it is known that it has become contaminated with something impure after the rain. If it comes into contact after three days, it should be washed. However, if it is a clean path, there is no need to wash it.'.

Hadith 16

وَ سَأَلَ أَبُو اَلْأَعَزِّ اَلنَّخَّاسُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ فَقَالَ: إِنِّي أُعَالِجُ اَلدَّوَابَّ فَرُبَّمَا خَرَجْتُ بِاللَّيْلِ وَ قَدْ بَالَتْ وَ رَاثَتْ فَتَضْرِبُ إِحْدَاهَا بِيَدِهَا أَوْ بِرِجْلِهَا فَيُنْضَحُ عَلَى ثَوْبِي فَقَالَ «لاَ بَأْسَ بِهِ.

Abu Al-Agharr al-Nakhkhas asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq (a.s), saying: ‘I tend to the riding animals, and sometimes I go out at night and they have urinated or defecated, so one of them strikes with its leg or hand [1causing it to splash on my clothing.' Imam (a.s) said: 'There is no harm in it.'

Commentary 4

ولا بأس بخرء الدجاجة والحمامة يصيب الثوب، ولا بأس بخرء ما طار وبوله، ولا بأس ببول كل شئ أكل لحمه فيصيب الثوب، ولا بأس بلبن المرأة المرضعة يصيب قميصها فيكثر وييبس.

There is also no harm if chicken or pigeon droppings come into contact with clothing. Likewise, there is no issue with the droppings or urine of flying creatures or the urine of any animal whose meat is lawful to eat coming into contact with clothing. There is also no issue if the milk of a nursing woman touches her shirt, even in large amounts, once it dries.

Hadith 17

وَ سُئِلَ اَلرِّضَا عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: عَنِ اَلرَّجُلِ يَطَأُ فِي اَلْحَمَّامِ وَ فِي رِجْلَيْهِ اَلشُّقَاقُ فَيَطَأُ اَلْبَوْلَ وَ اَلنُّورَةَ فَيَدْخُلُ اَلشُّقَاقَ أَثَرٌ أَسْوَدُ مِمَّا وَطِئَهُ مِنَ اَلْقَذَرِ وَ قَدْ غَسَلَهُ كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ بِهِ وَ بِرِجْلِهِ اَلَّتِي وَطِئَ بِهَا أَ يُجْزِيهِ اَلْغَسْلُ أَمْ يُخَلِّلُ [أَظْفَارَهُ] بِأَظْفَارِهِ وَ يَسْتَنْجِي فَيَجِدُ اَلرِّيحَ مِنْ أَظْفَارِهِ وَ لاَ يَرَى شَيْئاً فَقَالَ «لاَ شَيْءَ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ اَلرِّيحِ وَ اَلشُّقَاقِ بَعْدَ غَسْلِهِ.

Imam Ali ibn Musa Ar-Ridha (a.s) as asked about a man who steps in a public bath with cracked feet and steps on urine and lime, causing a black residue to enter the cracks. If he washes it, how should he treat it, and what about his foot that stepped on it? Is washing sufficient, or should he also scrape under his nails? And he washes himself, only to then find smell emanating from his nails even when there is nothing? Imam (a.s) said: ‘There is nothing on him from the smell or the residue in the cracks after washing’

Commentary 5

ولا بأس أن يتدلك الرجل في الحمام بالسويق والدقيق والنخالة، فليس فيما ينفع البدن إسراف إنما الاسراف فيما أتلف الماء وأضر بالبدن. والدم إذا أصاب الثوب فلا بأس بالصلاة فيه ما لم يكن مقداره مقدار درهم واف، والوافي ما يكون وزنه درهما وثلثا، وما كان دون الدرهم الوافي فقد يجب غسله ولا بأس بالصلاة فيه. وإن كان الدم دون حمصة فلا بأس بأن لا يغسل إلا أن يكون دم الحيض فإنه يجب غسل الثوب منه ومن البول والمني قليلا كان أو كثيرا وتعاد منه الصلاة علم به أو لم يعلم.

It is permissible for a person to rub themselves in the bath with flour, bran, or other beneficial substances, as there is no excessiveness in what benefits the body; extravagance applies to what wastes water or harms the body. Regarding blood that stains clothing: there is no issue with praying in it if the amount is not greater than a dirham in size. The "dirham-sized" measure weighs approximately one and one-third dirhams. If the blood is less than a full dirham, washing is preferred but not obligatory for prayer. However, if the blood is less than the size of a chickpea, there is no obligation to wash it unless it is menstrual blood. Menstrual blood, urine, and semen, regardless of quantity, must be washed from the clothing, and prayers must be repeated if performed without realizing its presence.

Hadith 18

وَقَالَ عَلِيٌّ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: «مَا أُبَالِي أَ بَوْلٌ أَصَابَنِي أَوْ مَاءٌ إِذَا لَمْ أَعْلَمْ.

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s) said: 'I do not concern myself with whether urine or water has touched me if I am unaware of it.'.

Hadith 19

وَ قَدْ رُوِيَ: «فِي اَلْمَنِيِّ أَنَّهُ إِذَا كَانَ اَلرَّجُلُ جُنُباً حَيْثُ قَامَ وَ نَظَرَ وَ طَلَبَ فَلَمْ يَجِدْ شَيْئاً فَلاَ شَيْءَ عَلَيْهِ فَإِنْ كَانَ لَمْ يَنْظُرْ وَ لَمْ يَطْلُبْ فَعَلَيْهِ أَنْ يَغْسِلَهُ وَ يُعِيدَ صَلاَتَهُ.

It is narrated regarding semen that if a man is junub (ritually impure due to seminal discharge) and gets up, looks, and finds nothing, then there is nothing upon him. However, if he does not look and does not check, he must wash himself and repeat his prayer.

Commentary 6

ولا بأس بدم السمك في الثوب أن يصلي فيه الانسان قليلا كان أو كثيرا. ومن أصاب قلنسوته أو عمامته أو تكته أو جوربه أو خفه مني أو بول أو دم أو غائط فلا بأس بالصلاة فيه وذلك لان الصلاة لا تتم في شئ من هذا وحده. ومن وقع ثوبه على حمار ميت فليس عليه غسله ولا بأس بالصلاة فيه. ولا بأس أن يمس الرجل عظم الميت إذا جاز سنة، ولا بأس أن يجعل سن الميت للحي مكان سنه. ومن أصاب ثوبه كلب جاف ولم يكن بكلب صيد فعليه أن يرشه بالماء، وإن كان رطبا فعليه أن يغسله، وإن كان كلب صيد وكان جافا فليس عليه شئ، وإن كان رطبا فعليه أن يرشه بالماء. ولا بأس بالصلاة في ثوب أصابه خمر لان الله عز وجل حرم شربها ولم يحرم الصلاة في ثوب أصابته. فأما في بيت فيه خمر فلا يجوز الصلاة فيه. ومن بال فأصاب فخذه نكتة من بوله فصلى ثم ذكر أنه لم يغسله فعليه أن يغسله ويعيد صلاته. وإن وقعت فأرة في الماء ثم خرجت فمشت على الثياب فاغسل ما رأيت من أثرها وما لم تره انضحه بالماء. وإن كان بالرجل جرح سائل فأصاب ثوبه من دمه فلا بأس بأن لا يغسل حتى يبرأ أو ينقطع الدم.

There is no issue with the blood of fish on clothing, whether a small or large amount, when praying. If semen, urine, blood, or feces touch a man's cap, turban, waistband, socks, or shoes, there is no harm in praying in them, because prayer is not complete when performed solely in any of these items. If one's clothing touches a dead donkey, there is no need to wash it, and there is no issue with praying in it. There is no harm in touching the bone of a deceased person after a year has passed, and there is no issue with using a deceased person’s tooth as a replacement for one’s own. If a dry dog touches one’s clothing and it is not a hunting dog, it suffices to sprinkle water on it. If it is wet, it must be washed. For a hunting dog, if it is dry, there is nothing upon the person ; if it is wet, it suffices to sprinkle water. There is no issue with praying in a garment that has come into contact with alcohol because Allah (swt), the Exalted, has prohibited its consumption but has not prohibited praying in a garment affected by it. However, praying in a place where alcohol is present is not permissible. If a person urinates and a spot of urine touches their thigh, then prays and later remembers that they did not wash it, they must wash it and repeat the prayer. If a mouse falls into water, exits, and then walks on clothing, one should wash the area where traces of it are seen and sprinkle water on the rest of the area. If a man has a bleeding wound that soils his clothing, there is no need to wash it until the wound heals or the bleeding stops.

Hadith 20

وَ سُئِلَ أَبُو اَلْحَسَنِ مُوسَى بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: عَنْ خَصِيٍّ يَبُولُ فَيَلْقَى مِنْ ذَلِكَ شِدَّةً وَ يَرَى اَلْبَلَلَ بَعْدَ اَلْبَلَلِ قَالَ «يَتَوَضَّأُ ثُمَّ يَنْضِحُ ثَوْبَهُ فِي اَلنَّهَارِ مَرَّةً وَاحِدَةً.

Abu Al-Hasan Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim (a.s) was asked about a eunuch who experiences difficulty with urination and notices wetness repeatedly. Imam (a.s) replied: 'He should perform ablution and sprinkle his clothing with water once during the day.'.

Hadith 21

وَ سَأَلَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ أَخَاهُ مُوسَى بْنَ جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: عَنِ اَلرَّجُلِ وَقَعَ ثَوْبُهُ عَلَى كَلْبٍ مَيْتٍ قَالَ «يَنْضِحُهُ وَ يُصَلِّي فِيهِ وَ لاَ بَأْسَ.

Ali ibn Ja'far asked his brother Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim (a.s) about a man whose clothing comes into contact with a dead dog. Imam (a.s) replied: 'He should sprinkle it with water and may pray in it, and there is no issue.'.