Source: Fatāwā Arkān-e-Islām
If the urine of a nursing infant gets on clothes, is it necessary to wash them completely or is there a specific ruling for it?
It is authentically reported that:
"A nursing infant was brought to the Prophet ﷺ and placed in his lap. The child urinated in his lap, so he ﷺ called for water and sprinkled it over the place without washing it."
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Wudu’, Bab Bawl al-Sibyan, Hadith: 223; Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Taharah, Bab Hukm Bawl al-Tifl al-Radi‘, Hadith: 286]
Conclusion:
والله أعلم بالصواب
Question:
If the urine of a nursing infant gets on clothes, is it necessary to wash them completely or is there a specific ruling for it?
Answer:
Ruling on Infant Boy’s Urine
- The urine of a nursing infant boy is considered light impurity (خفیف النجاسہ).
- This applies to the infant whose food is only milk, meaning he only drinks milk and does not eat solid food.
How to Purify
- If such urine gets on clothes:
◈ It is sufficient to sprinkle water over the affected area.
◈ The water should be poured so that the entire soiled area becomes wet.
◈ There is no need to scrub or wring the fabric.
Evidence from Hadith
It is authentically reported that:
"A nursing infant was brought to the Prophet ﷺ and placed in his lap. The child urinated in his lap, so he ﷺ called for water and sprinkled it over the place without washing it."
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Wudu’, Bab Bawl al-Sibyan, Hadith: 223; Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Taharah, Bab Hukm Bawl al-Tifl al-Radi‘, Hadith: 286]
Ruling on Infant Girl’s Urine
- In the case of a baby girl, the clothes must be washed.
- The general rule is that urine is impure and must be washed.
- The case of a nursing infant boy is an exception established by Sunnah.
Conclusion:
- Infant boy (milk-fed only): Sprinkle water over the affected area.
- Infant girl: Wash the soiled area thoroughly.
والله أعلم بالصواب
