Answered by Ustadha Maariyah Lateef
Question:
Is dust from filthy materials also considered filthy?
Answer:
Thank you for your question. There are two issues here.
Firstly, are dust, and loose fibers originating from clothes that are filthy (najas) also considered filthy? And secondly, should we be wary of dust around us possibly having originated from a filthy source?
As for the first question, in general, if you are uncertain where an object is filthy or not, it is only considered filthy if there are traces of filth on it, which can be identified by sight, smell, or taste (Maraqi al-Falah).
For dust and loose fibers originating from spots on your clothing that are filthy (najas), those fibers would have to have traces of the filth in order to be considered filthy. It is not only nearly impossible to ascertain which particles originated from the filthy spots of one’s clothing, but it is also nearly impossible to notice any traces of filth on these particles.
Keeping this in mind, to answer the second question, I would urge you not to worry about any dust particles or loose fibers you see around you being filthy. You certainly can continue using your computer without any reservations and without removing the dust.
I would also remind you that there is a lot of mercy in our religion regarding these matters. This is why we can pray, for example, on any spot of ground outside without worrying whether it is pure or not, as long as there are no traces of filth on it, as described above (Maraqi al-Falah).
I would also revise what exactly would make your clothes and anything else filthy (najas).
You can do so at this link: https://seekersguidance.org/answers/hanafi-fiqh/what-are-the-things-deemed-fitlhy-in-the-hanafi-school/
As you can see, it is only a few things. The vast majority of your clothes are probably not technically filthy, even if they are smelly or in need of washing.
And Allah knows best.
[Ustadha] Maariyah Lateef
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani