This article is based on the book "500 Questions and Answers for Women," which compiles fatwas from the scholars of the Haramain. The translation has been done by Hafiz Abdullah Saleem.
Ruling on the Purity of Blood
Question:
Is blood pure (tahir) or impure (najis)? Please explain in detail.Answer:
1. Blood from Impure Animals:
- Blood from inherently impure animals, such as pigs and dogs, is considered impure (najis), whether it exits while they are alive or after their death.
2. Blood from Pure but Dead Animals:
- Animals whose bodies are pure when alive but impure after death (e.g., goats, cows, etc.):
- The blood from such animals is considered impure, regardless of the quantity.
- Minor amounts of blood may be excused in some cases.
- This ruling is supported by the Quranic verse:
قُلْ لَا أَجِدُ فِي مَا أُوحِيَ إِلَيَّ مُحَرَّمًا عَلَىٰ طَاعِمٍ يَطْعَمُهُ إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ مَيْتَةً أَوْ دَمًا مَسْفُوحًا أَوْ لَحْمَ خِنزِيرٍ فَإِنَّهُ رِجْسٌ - (Say, "I do not find in what was revealed to me anything forbidden to be eaten by one who wishes to eat it, except for carrion, spilled blood, or the flesh of swine—for indeed, it is impure.") [Surah Al-An'am: 145]
3. Blood from Animals That Are Pure Alive and Dead:
- Blood from animals considered pure both in life and after death (e.g., fish, locusts) is pure (tahir).
- However, the blood of humans is generally treated as an exception:
- While the human body is pure both in life and after death, blood exiting the body is considered impure by the majority of scholars.
- Minor quantities of blood are excused due to practicality.
4. Blood from Human Orifices:
- Blood exiting the two passages (sabilain), i.e., the private parts, is considered impureand is not excused, even in small quantities.
- When women inquired about bloodstains from menstruation on clothing, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) instructed them to wash it, without differentiating between amounts.
5. Blood from Other Parts of the Human Body:
- Blood exiting the body from areas other than the two passages (e.g., nosebleeds or wounds) does not invalidate ablution (wudu), regardless of its quantity.
- Other substances such as vomit, pus, and wound discharge also do not invalidate wudu.
6. Blood After Animal Slaughter:
- Blood exiting an animal after lawful slaughter (dhabiha) is considered pure, even if its redness is apparent.
- For example:
- If a person slaughters a goat and gets blood on themselves while skinning it after its death, this blood is pure and does not compromise purity.
- For example:
Conclusion:
- Blood is generally impure unless:
- It is from animals considered pure in both life and death (e.g., fish).
- It is post-slaughter blood from an animal that has been lawfully slaughtered.
- Blood exiting the human body:
- From the two passages: Impure and not excused.
- From other parts: Does not invalidate wudu and minor quantities are excused.