His second question asks whether it is permissible to remove ritual impurity with something other than water, such as vinegar or other removers or disinfectants?
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The questioner : His second question asks whether it is permissible to remove ritual impurity with something other than water, such as vinegar or other removers or disinfectants?
The Shaykh : We say that removing ritual impurity is not something that is worshipped for its own sake; that is, it is not an intended act of worship. Rather, removing ritual impurity is getting rid of a foul, impure substance. So by whatever means the impurity is removed and its effect is gone, that means is a purifier for it, whether it is water, gasoline, or any other remover. As long as the substance of the impurity is removed by anything, it is considered a purification for it. Indeed, according to the stronger opinion chosen by the Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, if it is removed by the sun and the wind, it purifies the place, because, as I said, it is an impure, foul substance. As long as it is present, the place becomes impure by it, or more correctly, contaminated by it. And when it is gone, the place returns to its original state, which is purity. So whatever removes the substance of the impurity and its effect, except that the color that cannot be removed is excused, is a purifier for it.
Based on this, we say: The steam used to wash carpets, woolen clothes, and the like, if it removes the impurity, then it is a purifier. Yes.
The questioner : This is a message from the questioner Fatimah al-Ghadir from al-Mahmal.
The Shaykh : We say that removing ritual impurity is not something that is worshipped for its own sake; that is, it is not an intended act of worship. Rather, removing ritual impurity is getting rid of a foul, impure substance. So by whatever means the impurity is removed and its effect is gone, that means is a purifier for it, whether it is water, gasoline, or any other remover. As long as the substance of the impurity is removed by anything, it is considered a purification for it. Indeed, according to the stronger opinion chosen by the Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, if it is removed by the sun and the wind, it purifies the place, because, as I said, it is an impure, foul substance. As long as it is present, the place becomes impure by it, or more correctly, contaminated by it. And when it is gone, the place returns to its original state, which is purity. So whatever removes the substance of the impurity and its effect, except that the color that cannot be removed is excused, is a purifier for it.
Based on this, we say: The steam used to wash carpets, woolen clothes, and the like, if it removes the impurity, then it is a purifier. Yes.
The questioner : This is a message from the questioner Fatimah al-Ghadir from al-Mahmal.