Bahaar-e-Shariat (Volume 2)

This volume provides a comprehensive codification of Islamic jurisprudence regarding purification (Tahaarat), detailing the essential laws, conditions, and regulations for ritual cleanliness required for worship. It covers the specific requirements for ritual ablution (Wudu), the ritual bath (Ghusl), the use of water, dry ablution (Tayammum), wiping over leather socks (Masah on the Khufain), menstruation (Haidh), postnatal bleeding (Nifaas), impurities (Najaasat), and the etiquette of cleansing oneself after answering the call of nature (Istinja).

Key topics & takeaways

Purification and Ritual Ablution

• Importance of Tahaarat — The work maintains that purification is the key to Jannat and Salaah, and that intentionally performing prayer without Wudu or Ghusl is considered an act of infidelity (page 10).
• Fard actions of Wudu — The text identifies four obligatory actions: washing the face, washing both hands up to the elbows, performing Masah of the head, and washing both feet up to the ankles (page 18).
• Washing requirements — The work teaches that washing a limb requires at least two drops of water to pass over every part; merely moistening the skin or rubbing water over it is insufficient for a valid Wudu or Ghusl (page 18).
• Nullifiers of Wudu — The text holds that the discharge of stool, urine, Wadi, Mazee, Manee, worms, or stones from private passages invalidates Wudu (page 40).
• Sleep as a nullifier — Sleeping invalidates Wudu unless one is sitting with both buttocks firmly planted on the ground or in a posture that prevents one from falling over heedlessly (page 45).
• Vomiting — The work teaches that vomiting a mouthful of food, water, or bile invalidates Wudu, provided it is an involuntary act (page 44).

The Ritual Bath (Ghusl)

• Fard actions of Ghusl — The volume specifies three obligatory acts: rinsing the mouth thoroughly (including the back of the throat), cleaning the nostrils (sniffing water up to the soft area), and washing the entire surface of the body (page 60).
• Hair and Ghusl — It is held that if hair is tied so tightly that water cannot reach the roots, it must be untied; otherwise, the Ghusl is invalid (page 55).

Water and Impurities

• Water purity — The work classifies water as pure and purifying unless it is contaminated by an impurity that alters its color, smell, or taste (page 86).
• Impurity categories — Impurities are divided into Ghaleeza (major) and Khafeefa (minor); the former requires cleaning if it exceeds the size of a dirham, while the latter is excused if it covers less than a quarter of a garment or limb (page 193).
• Purification of items — The text teaches that items contaminated by thick impurities must be washed until the impurity is removed, while fluid impurities require washing and squeezing three times (page 207).

Tayammum and Special Rulings

• Conditions for Tayammum — Dry ablution is permitted in cases of severe illness, absence of water within a one-mile radius, extreme cold where water poses a health risk, or fear of an enemy or missing a funeral prayer (page 113).
• Masah on leather socks — The work affirms the permissibility of wiping over leather socks (Khufain) for one day and night for a resident, and three days and nights for a traveler, provided they were put on after a complete Wudu (page 143).
• Menstruation and Postnatal Bleeding — The text defines Haidh as lasting between three and ten days, and Nifaas as lasting up to forty days; during these states, prayer and fasting are suspended, and sexual intercourse is forbidden (page 159, page 172).
• Chronic annulment (Ma’zoor) — A person suffering from a chronic condition that prevents them from maintaining Wudu for the duration of a prayer time is classified as a Ma’zoor and may perform one Wudu for the entire duration of that prayer time (page 185).