Question: We have to deal socially with such irreligious people who worship fire and cows, while Allah Almighty has declared them impure and filthy. The question is, what is the nature of their impurity? Should we keep away from them and not shake hands? Then, if they are impure, how should we deal with them? And do the things they touch also become impure? It should be clarified that these people work in commercial centers and also have contact and dealings with the public.
Answer: Allah Almighty says:
إِنَّمَا الْمُشْرِكُونَ نَجَسٌ
“The polytheists are impure.”
Regarding the hypocrites, it is said:
فَأَعْرِضُوا عَنْهُمْ إِنَّهُمْ رِجْسٌ
“Avoid them; indeed, they are impure.”
Here, رجس refers to impurity, but this impurity is not physical but rather metaphorical; it means their harm and corruption. As far as their bodies are concerned, if they are clean, they should not be called physically impure. On this basis, if there is certainty about the purity of their used clothes, they can be worn. However, it is necessary to avoid clothes attached to the private parts because these people do not avoid urine, especially since they do not perform circumcision. Similarly, if they are directly involved with impurity, such as eating pork, making alcohol, etc., then in that case, it is necessary to avoid them. There is no harm in shaking hands with them or using products made by them because the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his noble companions used to use the products and clothes made by disbelievers when their purity was known. Fundamentally, things are pure.
