❀ Shar‘i Ruling on Clothes Washed in Dirty Drain Water ❀
✦ Taken from: Fatāwā ʿUlamā’-e-Ḥadīth, Kitāb al-Ṭahārah, Vol. 1, pp. 36–37
In the town of Kasbah Klass Wala, wastewater from drains falls into small ponds, which quickly become contaminated. Launderers (dhobis) use this water to wash clothes, and these clothes are used by the general public — including those who pray. What is the Islamic ruling in this matter?
It is narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was asked about the Buda‘ah well, into which impurities would fall:
"Al-māʾ ṭahūr, lā yunjisuhu shayʾ."
“Water is purifying; nothing renders it impure unless its properties are altered.”
Meaning:
➤ If water’s color, smell, or taste changes due to impurity, it becomes impure (najis).
➤ If these qualities remain unchanged, then the water remains pure (ṭāhir) and permissible to use.
✔ If filth enters a pond, and it alters the water’s color, smell, or taste, the water is impure and unusable.
✔ If the water retains its natural characteristics, even after exposure to impurity, and no signs of filth are evident, the water is pure and permissible to use.
✔ If the launderers wash clothes in such water that has no signs of impurity, the clothes are pure and can be used for prayer and acts of worship.
However, if it is confirmed that the water has become impure, then the clothes washed in it will also be impure, and cannot be used for worship.
① Water remains pure unless its color, smell, or taste is affected by impurity.
② Clothes washed in such water are pure, and valid for use, including for Salāh.
③ If impurity is confirmed in the water, and its effects are visible, then both the water and washed clothes are impure and not permissible for use.
Reference:
Al-Iʿtiṣām, Vol. 20, Issue 7
Al-Jawāb al-Ṣaḥīḥ by ʿAlī Muḥammad Saʿīdī, Jāmi‘ah Saʿīdiyyah, Khanewal, West Pakistan
✦ Taken from: Fatāwā ʿUlamā’-e-Ḥadīth, Kitāb al-Ṭahārah, Vol. 1, pp. 36–37
❖ Question:
In the town of Kasbah Klass Wala, wastewater from drains falls into small ponds, which quickly become contaminated. Launderers (dhobis) use this water to wash clothes, and these clothes are used by the general public — including those who pray. What is the Islamic ruling in this matter?
❖ Answer:
✿ Guidance from Hadith:
It is narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was asked about the Buda‘ah well, into which impurities would fall:
"Al-māʾ ṭahūr, lā yunjisuhu shayʾ."
“Water is purifying; nothing renders it impure unless its properties are altered.”
Meaning:
➤ If water’s color, smell, or taste changes due to impurity, it becomes impure (najis).
➤ If these qualities remain unchanged, then the water remains pure (ṭāhir) and permissible to use.
✿ Ruling on Pond Water:
✔ If filth enters a pond, and it alters the water’s color, smell, or taste, the water is impure and unusable.
✔ If the water retains its natural characteristics, even after exposure to impurity, and no signs of filth are evident, the water is pure and permissible to use.
✿ Clothes Washed by Launderers:
✔ If the launderers wash clothes in such water that has no signs of impurity, the clothes are pure and can be used for prayer and acts of worship.
However, if it is confirmed that the water has become impure, then the clothes washed in it will also be impure, and cannot be used for worship.✔ Summary:
① Water remains pure unless its color, smell, or taste is affected by impurity.
② Clothes washed in such water are pure, and valid for use, including for Salāh.
③ If impurity is confirmed in the water, and its effects are visible, then both the water and washed clothes are impure and not permissible for use.
Reference:Al-Iʿtiṣām, Vol. 20, Issue 7
Al-Jawāb al-Ṣaḥīḥ by ʿAlī Muḥammad Saʿīdī, Jāmi‘ah Saʿīdiyyah, Khanewal, West Pakistan
