Bahaar-e-Shariat Volume 2 (Tahaarat, purification)

This work provides a comprehensive guide to the laws of Tahaarat (purification) within the Hanafi school of jurisprudence. It details the essential requirements for ritual purity, covering the methods and regulations for Wudu (ablution), Ghusl (ritual bath), Tayammum (dry ablution), and Masah (wiping) over leather socks. The text also addresses the classification of water, the nature of various impurities (najaasat), the rules for Istinja (cleansing after answering the call of nature), and the specific regulations governing menstruation (haidh) and postnatal bleeding (nifaas).

The work emphasizes that purification is the key to Salaah and that knowledge of these laws is a personal obligation for every Muslim. It prioritizes the presentation of relied-upon (muftah bihi) and authentic rulings to avoid confusion among the laity, while directing those seeking intricate proofs to Fatawa Razvia Shareef.

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Key topics & takeaways

Belief & General Principles

• Obligation of knowledge — it is fard (obligatory) for every Muslim to learn the categories, methods, and conditions of Ibaadat (worship) to practice correctly ▸page 7.
• Importance of purification — Tahaarat is the key to Salaah, and performing Salaah without it is considered a grave disrespect ▸page 10.
• Categories of purification — purification is divided into Sughra (minor, requiring Wudu) and Kubra (major, requiring Ghusl) ▸page 10.

Wudu (Ritual Ablution)

• Fard actions of Wudu — there are four: washing the face, washing both hands up to the elbows, Masah of the head, and washing both feet up to the ankles ▸page 18.
• Definition of washing — washing a limb requires at least two drops of water to pass over every part of the skin; simple moistening is insufficient ▸page 18.
• Sunnat actions — these include the niyyat (intention), reciting Bismillah, using Miswak, rinsing the mouth and nostrils, khilaal (passing fingers through) of the beard and toes, and performing the actions in the prescribed sequence ▸page 30.
• Nullifiers of Wudu — these include the emission of stool, urine, Wadi, Mazee, Manee, or blood/pus that flows beyond the point of exit, as well as vomiting a mouthful, and sleeping in a position where the buttocks are not firmly planted (▸page 40, ▸page 44, ▸page 45).

Ghusl (Ritual Bath)

• Fard actions of Ghusl — there are three: rinsing the mouth thoroughly (including the throat), cleaning the nostrils up to the soft area, and washing the entire body surface (▸page 60, ▸page 61).
• Conditions for validity — water must reach every part of the body, including the roots of hair, the navel, and folds of skin; if hair is plaited tightly, it must be undone if water cannot reach the roots ▸page 62.
• Causes for Ghusl — it becomes fard due to seminal emission, Ihtilaam (nocturnal emission), sexual intercourse, the end of menstruation, and the end of postnatal bleeding (▸page 69, ▸page 74).

Water & Impurities

• Permissible water — rain, sea, stream, river, well, and melted ice/hail water are permissible for purification ▸page 85.
• Dah-Dardah (Big Pond) — a body of water with a surface area of at least 100 hand-lengths is considered a "big pond" and does not become impure unless its color, taste, or smell is altered by an impurity (▸page 88, ▸page 89).
• Najaasat-e-Ghaleeza (Major Impurity) — includes human waste, flowing blood, and alcohol; if present in an amount exceeding a dirham, it must be removed for Salaah to be valid (▸page 193, ▸page 195).
• Najaasat-e-Khafeefa (Minor Impurity) — includes the urine of halal animals; if it pollutes less than a quarter of a limb or garment, it is pardoned ▸page 194.

Tayammum (Dry Ablution)

• Conditions for Tayammum — permissible due to illness, lack of water within a mile, severe cold, fear of enemies, or fear of missing Salaah or Janaazah (▸page 113, ▸page 117, ▸page 120).
• Fard actions — there are three: niyyat, Masah of the face, and Masah of both hands up to the elbows (▸page 125, ▸page 127, ▸page 128).

Masah on Leather Socks

• Conditions — socks must cover the ankles, be durable enough to walk in, and be worn after performing a complete Wudu ▸page 145.
• Duration — one day and one night for a resident, three days and three nights for a traveler ▸page 147.

Menstruation & Postnatal Bleeding

• Duration — the minimum period for Haidh is three days and nights; the maximum is ten days and nights ▸page 160.
• Prohibitions — during Haidh and Nifaas, Salaah, fasting, reciting/touching the Qur'an, entering the mosque, and sexual intercourse are prohibited (▸page 175, ▸page 176, ▸page 180).