The Ruling on the Purity or Impurity of Semen according to Ahl al-Hadith: An Explanation Based on Research and Evidence
Question:
Barelvi and Deobandi scholars raise the objection that:
“According to Ahl al-Hadith, semen is pure”
The questioner wants to know what the actual position of Ahl al-Hadith on this issue is, and what the evidence is.
Answer:
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
Statements of Ahl al-Hadith, Hanbalis, Shafi’is, and Other Scholars:
➊ Statement of Shaykh Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani (may Allah have mercy on him):
“وَهُوَ (أي المني) طَاهِرٌ في أَشْهَرُ الرِّوَايَتَيْنِ”
That is, according to the most well-known narration in our (Hanbali) school, semen is pure.
➋ Al-Insaf fi Ma’rifat al-Rajih min al-Khilaf (a Hanbali book):
“ومني الآدمي طاهر هذا المذهب مطلقا وعليه جماهير الاصحاب”
That is, according to the Hanbali school, human semen is entirely pure, and this is also the position of the majority of the companions (of the school).
➌ Statement of Imam al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him):
“ذهب كثيرون إلى أن المني طاهر . روي ذلك عن علي بن أبي طالب وسعد بن أبي وقاص وابن عمر وعائشة وداود وأحمد في أصح الروايتين وهو مذهب الشافعي وأصحاب الحديث”
That is, according to many scholars semen is pure, and this has been narrated from Ali, Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas, Ibn Umar, Aisha, Imam Dawud, and Imam Ahmad (according to one narration). It is also the position of Imam al-Shafi’i and Ahl al-Hadith.
The Position of Ahl al-Hadith:
- ✿ Some Ahl al-Hadith scholars consider semen to be pure (tahir).
- ✿ In support of this position, there is the statement of Hadrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) and other companions, followers, and leading imams.
- ✿ However, according to the research of Imam al-Shawkani, Nawab Siddiq Hasan Khan, and other research-oriented Salafi scholars, semen is impure (najis).
➍ Objection of Barelvi and Deobandi scholars:
- ✿ The accusation against Ahl al-Hadith that they consider semen pure absolutely is false propaganda.
- ✿ This issue has been a matter of difference among the companions and the early scholars.
- ✿ Therefore, adopting one view on it does not make it a “new madhhab”.
The Position of Hafiz Zubair Ali Zai (may Allah have mercy on him):
- ✿ According to Imam al-Shawkani and other research-oriented Salafi scholars, semen is impure and najis.
- ✿ Hafiz Zubair Ali Zai (may Allah have mercy on him) himself also holds this same position, that semen is najis.
➎ Clarification:
- ✿ “The majority of companions” refers to the students of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal and other Hanabila.
- ✿ In the statements quoted by Nadwi sahib, a statement of the purity of semen from any companion is not definitively established.
Conclusion:
- ✿ This question and answer was presented earlier as well and is being presented again so that:
- ◈ The false accusations against Ahl al-Hadith can be refuted.
- ◈ The issue of the purity or impurity of semen is a matter of difference of opinion, and Ahl al-Hadith have adopted their position on the basis of evidence and research.
- ◈ Fabricating lies against Ahl al-Hadith on this matter is a clear example of slander and blind following (taqlid).
