assalamu alaykum wr wb. 1. Is it permitted for a woman with severe eczema to travel to the dead sea (Jordan) for treatment there as she has read that the natural minerals and water are a good cure? Someone told her that maybe she can’t go because the area is the place where the people of Lut were destroyed and one cannot go there. 2. Please could you tell me how one should purify clothes which the wet part of a dog touches. Is it the same as washing dishes i.e. 7 times one of which is with soil or can you put them in the washing machine with other clothes? If one put them in the washing machine in the past does that mean they are still impure as well as the clothes they came into contact with? Jazak Allah Khir. ws wr wb.
When Rasulullah [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam] was returning from Tabuk to
Madinah Munawwarah, he passed Hijr (the ruins of the nation of Thamud).
Rasulullah [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam] said, ‘Do not enter the houses of
those who have oppressed themselves but in the state of crying, perchance
you will be afflicted with what they have been afflicted with (the
punishment of Allah).’ Rasulullah [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam] then covered
his head and passed the valley as quick as possible. (Bukhari vol.2 pg.637;
Qadeemi)
The Muhadditheen have stated that it is not advisable to go to places which
were afflicted with the punishment of Allah. If there is a need, then one
will be excused. (Hashiya Bukhari; Ibid).
A person suffering from eczema may treat him/herself through the dead sea if
there is no other form of cure. Going to the dead sea will be due to need
and necessity and not form mere tourism and entertainment.
The saliva of a dog is Najis (impure). The area of the clothing soiled with
the saliva of a dog must be washed. If the area is not known, the entire
garment must be washed. It will suffice to wash the garment in a domestic
washing machine with other clothing.
and Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai