How Do I Get Rid of Doubts of Impurity on the Slippers?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
I have basic slippers, and like shoes, they are hard but still soft enough that if you push on them, they will move. Because of this, they are a little bit broken in certain areas and look like they have little pores. Whenever I had impurity on these slippers or cat food, I would just take wet wipes and wipe them off until I didn’t see them anymore.
These slippers are black, so I cleaned them until the visible residue disappeared. I would check the wet wipes, too, but I need to check. I fear I should have washed them instead, but this was many months ago, and I have walked with these slippers everywhere and when they were wet. Because they had these small holes and were a little broken, and maybe impurity went inside. What do I do?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
It was sufficient for you to wipe with wet wipes. As you mentioned, there was no trace, color, or smell left of the impurity. Ignore the doubts, and don’t go back into thinking of the past.
The basic principle is that unless there is no noticeable trace of the filth on the clean substance, then there is no filth.
Everything is Pure until Proven Impure
The slippers will be pure if you cannot see any impurities or traces. There is no need for conjecture, assumptions, or even investigation.
Unless one sees actual traces of impurity, one should act as if it’s pure. We are not responsible for anything beyond that. Allah Most High says, “and He (Allah) has not placed upon you in the religion any undue hardship.” [Quran, 22:78]
I would like you to go through the valuable answers and links below. You will receive guidance and direction in sha Allah.
Related
Wet Dreams and Ritual Purity: A Reader – SeekersGuidance
Purification in Islam: A Comprehensive Reader – SeekersGuidance
Why not begin your search for knowledge by signing up for a course on SeekersAcademy (seekersguidance.org)?
I pray this helps with your question.
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally-trained scholar who has studied in the UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey.
He started his early education in the UK. He went on to complete hifz of the Quran in India, then enrolled into an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied the secular and Alimiyyah sciences. He then traveled to Karachi, Pakistan.
He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for a number of years. He has taught hifz of the Qur’an, Tajwid, Fiqh, and many other Islamic sciences to both children and adults onsite and online extensively in UK and Ireland. He was teaching at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK, where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences.
He currently resides in the UK with his wife. His personal interest is the love of books and gardening.
