✔ Purity of the Urine of Halal Animals in Islamic Jurisprudence
Originally authored by Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amaanpuri – enhanced with structured headings and additional formatting for clarity.
Our foremost goal was to refute those who mock narrations found in Sahih Bukhari and other authentic Hadith compilations. Preferring intellect over revelation is incorrect, and such individuals can never truly act wisely.
Guidance for Rural Populations:
Given that the majority of our country's population resides in rural areas—where daily interaction with sheep, goats, camels, and other halal animals is common—it was essential to educate them on Islamic teachings related to these animals.
The scholars of Hadith have elaborated on this issue with great detail and depth of knowledge. Nevertheless, some who claim to accept Hadith object to the Hadith-aligned position held by Ahl al-Hadith in front of the uninformed masses.
Response to Critics:
These objectors, by targeting Ahl al-Hadith, indirectly criticize the Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ, the early generations of the Ummah, and even the founders of the Hanafi school. They should strive to increase their knowledge and avoid statements that endanger their Hereafter.
Hanafi texts contain various rulings that demonstrate leniency regarding the impurity of halal animals:
◈ If a few droppings or a little dung fall into milk during milking and are removed immediately, it is excused (Ilm al-Fiqh 1/54).
→ If it is impure, why is it excused? Would human waste be similarly excused?
◈ The excrement of halal birds is pure, provided it is not foul-smelling (Ilm al-Fiqh 1/54).
→ Contradiction: Urine is declared impure while bird droppings are deemed pure.
◈ If a filthy item is licked three times with the tongue, it becomes pure (Fatawa Shami 1/226, Tahtawi 1/157, Fatawa Alamgiri 1/45, Fatawa Qadhi Khan 1/11, Al-Mabsut 1/96).
◈ Discharge from a woman’s private area is pure (Fatawa Shami 1/123).
◈ If pure discharge exits without blood, it neither invalidates wudu nor makes the cloth impure (Bahar-e-Shariat 2/24).
◈ It is permissible to sell the meat of dogs and donkeys after slaughter (Fatawa Alamgiri 3/115).
◈ Holding a dog during prayer is allowed (Bada’i al-Sana’i 1/74, Durr al-Mukhtar 1/38, Radd al-Muhtar 1/153, Tahtawi on Durr al-Mukhtar 1/115, Bahr al-Ra’iq 1/102, Fayd al-Bari 1/274, Majmu‘ah Rasail 240).
◈ Visible or invisible light impurity (najasa khafifah) is excused up to one-fourth of the body or garment (Ilm al-Fiqh 1/52).
◈ According to Hanafi fiqh, dogs and elephants are not impure (Ilm al-Fiqh 1/54).
◈ If oil or ghee becomes impure, it is purified by adding water and separating the oil three times (Maraqi al-Falah 86).
◈ Lard from swine or any impurity-tanned skin becomes pure after washing it three times (Ilm al-Fiqh 1/61).
◈ Donkey’s milk is pure (Ilm al-Fiqh 1/53).
◈ Prayer on a mat made of dog’s hide is valid (Fatawa Darul Uloom Deoband 1/292, Fatawa Shami 1/153).
◈ Muhammad Sharif Kotlawi Barelvi writes that once a hide is purified through tanning, using it for prayer mats or water buckets poses no issue (Responses to Objections on Durr al-Mukhtar 107).
Originally authored by Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amaanpuri – enhanced with structured headings and additional formatting for clarity.
✿ Recap of Previous Issues
In the preceding discussions, the purity of the urine of halal animals has been comprehensively explained in the light of Shar‘i texts. This position was also held by the early generations of the Ummah and the Imams of religion. Even among the founders of the Hanafi school, Imam Muhammad ibn Hasan Shaybani and Imam Zufar supported this view.✿ Primary Objectives
Refuting the Hadith Rejecters:Our foremost goal was to refute those who mock narrations found in Sahih Bukhari and other authentic Hadith compilations. Preferring intellect over revelation is incorrect, and such individuals can never truly act wisely.
Guidance for Rural Populations:
Given that the majority of our country's population resides in rural areas—where daily interaction with sheep, goats, camels, and other halal animals is common—it was essential to educate them on Islamic teachings related to these animals.
✿ Objections to the Purity of Halal Animals' Urine
Scholarly Perspective:The scholars of Hadith have elaborated on this issue with great detail and depth of knowledge. Nevertheless, some who claim to accept Hadith object to the Hadith-aligned position held by Ahl al-Hadith in front of the uninformed masses.
Response to Critics:
These objectors, by targeting Ahl al-Hadith, indirectly criticize the Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ, the early generations of the Ummah, and even the founders of the Hanafi school. They should strive to increase their knowledge and avoid statements that endanger their Hereafter.
✿ Concessions and Contradictions in Hanafi Jurisprudence
Concessions Regarding Impurity of Halal Animals:Hanafi texts contain various rulings that demonstrate leniency regarding the impurity of halal animals:
◈ If a few droppings or a little dung fall into milk during milking and are removed immediately, it is excused (Ilm al-Fiqh 1/54).
→ If it is impure, why is it excused? Would human waste be similarly excused?
◈ The excrement of halal birds is pure, provided it is not foul-smelling (Ilm al-Fiqh 1/54).
→ Contradiction: Urine is declared impure while bird droppings are deemed pure.
✿ Other Issues in Hanafi Jurisprudence
These rulings highlight inconsistencies that would astonish any sound-minded individual:◈ If a filthy item is licked three times with the tongue, it becomes pure (Fatawa Shami 1/226, Tahtawi 1/157, Fatawa Alamgiri 1/45, Fatawa Qadhi Khan 1/11, Al-Mabsut 1/96).
◈ Discharge from a woman’s private area is pure (Fatawa Shami 1/123).
◈ If pure discharge exits without blood, it neither invalidates wudu nor makes the cloth impure (Bahar-e-Shariat 2/24).
◈ It is permissible to sell the meat of dogs and donkeys after slaughter (Fatawa Alamgiri 3/115).
◈ Holding a dog during prayer is allowed (Bada’i al-Sana’i 1/74, Durr al-Mukhtar 1/38, Radd al-Muhtar 1/153, Tahtawi on Durr al-Mukhtar 1/115, Bahr al-Ra’iq 1/102, Fayd al-Bari 1/274, Majmu‘ah Rasail 240).
◈ Visible or invisible light impurity (najasa khafifah) is excused up to one-fourth of the body or garment (Ilm al-Fiqh 1/52).
◈ According to Hanafi fiqh, dogs and elephants are not impure (Ilm al-Fiqh 1/54).
◈ If oil or ghee becomes impure, it is purified by adding water and separating the oil three times (Maraqi al-Falah 86).
◈ Lard from swine or any impurity-tanned skin becomes pure after washing it three times (Ilm al-Fiqh 1/61).
◈ Donkey’s milk is pure (Ilm al-Fiqh 1/53).
◈ Prayer on a mat made of dog’s hide is valid (Fatawa Darul Uloom Deoband 1/292, Fatawa Shami 1/153).
◈ Muhammad Sharif Kotlawi Barelvi writes that once a hide is purified through tanning, using it for prayer mats or water buckets poses no issue (Responses to Objections on Durr al-Mukhtar 107).
