Assalamu Alaikum
The more I have been researching about cleaning impurities in the Hanafi madhab the more confused I have become. In some cases, they say washing once is enough but then someone says you have to wash three times, then I read that it depends on whether you’re using running water or not and I can’t figure out if one has to wash a cup once and then wait for it to stop dripping (also do you wait for it to stop dripping for a few minutes or does it have to be nearly dry) or does it depend on the material of the cup and so on and so forth. All of this has become very confusing for me. I know asking such a general question might be a bit too much but I really need some clarity on the topic. Could you please clarify this issue of cleaning impurity for me, like when is it alright to wash impurity once or three times, or when is simply removing with tissue enough, as well as what “wash” means (like how would one “wash” a wall when the water will run down to the floor or “wash” a floor), etc?
Also, If you could also point me to a Hanafi fiqh book (in English) that discusses issues like this, I would be very grateful.
Jazakallah
Answer
Wa’alaykum as Salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu,
Impurities are classified differently according to Shariah Islamic Law. Hence the method required to cleanse an object of an impurity would be dependant on which category the impurity falls under.
It would also depend on the nature of the object that is impure. For example, the required method of removing the impurity from leather would differ from another type of fabric; just as it would differ if the impurity is on the body or on a utensil.
The details of these can be found in the books of fiqh.
We suggest that you refer to the English Bahishti Zewar.
And Allaah Ta’aala knows best
Wassalaam,
Ismail Moosa (Mufti)