❖ 4 Shari’ah Rulings on Urine of Breastfeeding Infants ❖
Taken from: Fatāwā ad-Dīn al-Khāliṣ, Volume 1, Page 324
Is the difference in ruling between the urine of a breastfeeding boy and girl—i.e., sprinkling in one case and washing in the other—established from ḥadīth? Or are both treated the same?
The Prophet ﷺ made a clear distinction between the urine of breastfeeding boys and girls:
Narrated by ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib (رضي الله عنه):
“Sprinkle water over the urine of a boy, and wash the urine of a girl.”
(Tirmidhī 1/189, Ḥadīth No. 615)
Qatādah (رحمه الله) explains:
“This ruling applies as long as the child is not eating food. Once the child begins eating, whether boy or girl, the urine must be washed.”
This narration is reported in multiple books with authentic chains:
Thus, the distinction is well-supported by sound prophetic reports.
Those who argue against this distinction, using the general ḥadīth:
"Avoid urine, for most punishment in the grave is due to it"
They fall into two serious errors:
◈ They assume contradiction between the Prophet’s sayings,
◈ And they end up rejecting clear Prophetic instruction.
Some claim that “al-naḍḥ” (sprinkling) actually means washing.
This interpretation is incorrect.
Evidence from Abū Dāwūd and Nasā’ī—narrated from Abū Asmaḥ—clearly states:
“The girl’s urine is to be washed, and the boy’s urine is to be sprinkled.”
Such narrations clarify and interpret each other, just like verses of the Qur’an do.
The Prophet ﷺ introduced ease in religion.
Therefore:
◈ We are not permitted to impose unnecessary difficulty upon others or ourselves by altering established prophetic rulings.
① Sprinkling is sufficient for the urine of a breastfeeding boy
② Washing is obligatory for the urine of a breastfeeding girl
③ When the child begins eating, washing becomes obligatory for both genders
④ Altering the Sunnah through reinterpretation is not allowed
ھٰذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
Taken from: Fatāwā ad-Dīn al-Khāliṣ, Volume 1, Page 324❀ Question:
Is the difference in ruling between the urine of a breastfeeding boy and girl—i.e., sprinkling in one case and washing in the other—established from ḥadīth? Or are both treated the same?
➊ Clear Distinction Proven from Authentic Hadith
The Prophet ﷺ made a clear distinction between the urine of breastfeeding boys and girls:
Narrated by ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib (رضي الله عنه):
“Sprinkle water over the urine of a boy, and wash the urine of a girl.”
(Tirmidhī 1/189, Ḥadīth No. 615)
➋ Clarification by Qatādah (رحمه الله)
Qatādah (رحمه الله) explains:
“This ruling applies as long as the child is not eating food. Once the child begins eating, whether boy or girl, the urine must be washed.”
➌ Strength of the Hadith
This narration is reported in multiple books with authentic chains:
- Ibn Mājah: 1/58, Ḥadīth Nos. 522, 527
- Abū Dāwūd: 1/75
- Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ: 1/52, Ḥadīth No. 105
Thus, the distinction is well-supported by sound prophetic reports.
➍ Clarification Regarding Common Misinterpretations
Those who argue against this distinction, using the general ḥadīth:
"Avoid urine, for most punishment in the grave is due to it"
They fall into two serious errors:
◈ They assume contradiction between the Prophet’s sayings,
◈ And they end up rejecting clear Prophetic instruction.
Misinterpretation of “al-Naḍḥ” (النضح)
Some claim that “al-naḍḥ” (sprinkling) actually means washing.
This interpretation is incorrect.
Evidence from Abū Dāwūd and Nasā’ī—narrated from Abū Asmaḥ—clearly states:
“The girl’s urine is to be washed, and the boy’s urine is to be sprinkled.”
Such narrations clarify and interpret each other, just like verses of the Qur’an do.
The Principle of Ease in Islam
The Prophet ﷺ introduced ease in religion.
Therefore:
◈ We are not permitted to impose unnecessary difficulty upon others or ourselves by altering established prophetic rulings.
✔ Summary of Rulings:
① Sprinkling is sufficient for the urine of a breastfeeding boy
② Washing is obligatory for the urine of a breastfeeding girl
③ When the child begins eating, washing becomes obligatory for both genders
④ Altering the Sunnah through reinterpretation is not allowed
ھٰذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
