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Removing Filth: Is it Valid to Use Detergent with the Water?

Answered as per Hanafi Fiqh by Qibla.com

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

We can’t use fluids such as fruit juice etc, that are pure but not purifying to remove najasa from clothing, so if we add detergent to water to clean clothes, would this change the from of the water to pure but not purifying? 

Answer:
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Walaikum assalam,

Liquids are, broadly, of two types:

1.       Pure and purifying, such as unconditioned water.

·     This may be used for purification (i.e. wudu and ghusl) as well as removing filth (najasa).

2.       Pure but not purifying, such as juice, tea, vinegar, etc.

·     This may be not be used for purification, but may still be used to remove filth according to the Hanafi school.

Detergent or soap does not affect the unconditioned nature of water in the Hanafi school. [Ala’ al-Din Abidin, Gifts of Guidance] As such, it is valid to use water mixed with detergent or soap to remove filth. However, it is best (though not necessary) to wash one final time with water alone, to avoid the difference of opinion of the Shafi`is and others (Allah be pleased with them all), because they consider it valid to remove filth only with water.

And Allah alone gives success.

Walaikum assalam,
Faraz Rabbani.

This answer was indexed from Qibla.com, which used to have a repository of Islamic Q&A answered by various scholars. The website is no longer in existence. It has now been transformed into a learning portal with paid Islamic course offering under the brand of Kiflayn.

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