The ruling on impurity on copper, brass, and clay vessels

Question

If a clay, copper, or brass vessel gets urine or feces on it, what is the ruling? Will washing and scrubbing make the vessel pure? What is the ruling if the impurity is on the bottom or in the middle of the vessel?

Answer

Copper and Brass Vessels:

• There is no doubt that washing and scrubbing a copper or brass vessel makes it pure.
• If the impurity is on the bottom or in the middle of the vessel, washing it is sufficient.

Ruling on Clay Vessels:

• Some people have doubts about washing clay vessels, based on the Prophet’s ﷺ instruction at the time of the prohibition of alcohol that “شراب کے مٹکے توڑ دیے گئے”.
• But this idea is incorrect because the order to break the wine jars was to show the prohibition of alcohol, not to remove impurity from the clay vessels.

Issue of Penetration of Impurity:

• If impurity gets on an earthenware pot, washing it and drying it in the sun makes it pure.
• Shariah has commanded purification by washing impurity, even if it:

  Penetrates the pores of the body.

• Leaves a stain of menstruation, etc., on clothes that does not come off, but washing is considered sufficient purification.

If the earth becomes impure, it is sufficient to pour water over it; there is no command to dig up the earth.

Ease in Shariah:

• Shariah does not impose hardship, and washing an earthenware pot is sufficient; there is no need to break it.

Summary:

• Copper and brass utensils: become pure by washing and scrubbing.
• Earthenware pots: become pure by washing and drying in the sun, and there is no need to break them.
• Shariah has provided ease in the removal of impurity and has not commanded any unnecessary hardship.

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