Bathing and Urinating in Non-Flowing Water According to Islam

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bathing in islam, urinating in islam, bathing and urinating in water that does not flow,

Hi everyone! In this article, I will explain the rulings on bathing and urinating in non-flowing water according to Islam.

But first, let's clarify: what is non-flowing water? It refers to water that is stagnant, such as in a pond, bucket, or any container where the water volume does not reach two Qullah. I have explained the concept of two Qullah in a previous article, so I won't repeat it here.

As always, before delving deeper into the topic, let's examine a hadith related to this discussion.

Hadith About Bathing and Urinating in Non-Flowing Water

The hadith regarding bathing and urinating in non-flowing water is as follows:

عَنْ أَبِيْ هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : لَا يَغْتَسِلُ أَحَدُكُمْ فِيْ الْمَاءِ الدَّائِمِ وَهُوَ جُنُبٌ . أَخْرَجَهُ مُسْلِمٌ . وَلِلْبُخَارِيِّ : لَا يَبُوْلَنَّ أَحَدُكُمْ فِيْ الْمَاءِ الَّذِيْ لَا يَجْرِيْ ثُمَّ يَغْتَسْلُ فِيْهِ . وَلِمُسْلِمٍ مِنْهُ . وَلِأَبِيْ دَاوُدَ : وَلَا يَغْتَسِلُ فِيْهِ مِنَ الْجَنَابِةِ

Translation:

From Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), he said: "The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, 'None of you should bathe in stagnant water when in a state of janabah (major ritual impurity).'" This hadith is narrated by Muslim.

Imam al-Bukhari and Muslim also narrated a similar hadith: "None of you should urinate in non-flowing water and then bathe in it."

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Abu Dawud narrated: "A person should not bathe in non-flowing water while in a state of janabah."

Key Lessons from the Hadith

By observing the above hadith, we can derive several important lessons:

Bathing in a State of Janabah in Non-Flowing Water

  • Bathing in stagnant water while in a state of janabah is prohibited.
  • Although bathing in such water does not make the water physically impure, it affects the water's purity, rendering it unsuitable for purification purposes.

Urinating in Non-Flowing Water

  • Urinating in stagnant water alters its properties, making it impure and unfit for use in purification.
  • Urine is inherently impure in Islam.

What Is Janabah and When Is Ghusl Required?

For clarity, janabah refers to a state of major ritual impurity that requires a specific type of purification (ghusl). Ghusl is obligatory in the following situations:

  • After sexual intercourse (for both men and women).
  • After the emission of semen (whether awake or asleep).
  • For women, after menstruation or postnatal bleeding (nifas).

Ghusl involves washing the entire body, ensuring that water reaches every part of the skin.

Why Understanding This Hadith Is Important

This hadith serves as a fundamental basis in the Islamic study of purification. Maintaining bodily cleanliness is crucial, as it directly impacts the validity of acts of worship like prayer. A body that is not pure may render acts of worship invalid, which can affect a Muslim's spiritual state and connection with Allah.

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Therefore, understanding and adhering to the principles outlined in this hadith is essential for every Muslim.

Conclusion

That concludes this discussion on the rulings of bathing and urinating in non-flowing water according to Islam. By adhering to these guidelines, we can ensure both physical cleanliness and spiritual purity in our worship.

May this article be beneficial to all readers. Ameen!

See you again in the next article!

Akhmad Syafiuddin
Akhmad Syafiuddin An expert in Islamic discourse and law, and a graduate of Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.

2 comments

Comment Author Avatar
Omar
January 5, 2025 at 12:50 AM Delete
I would like to express my deep gratitude and satisfaction after reading this article on the topic of bathing and urinating in non-flowing water according to Islam. As a new Muslim, I've been searching for a clear and well-explained answer to this question for quite some time, and I must say that this article has provided me with exactly what I needed. The author has done an excellent job of explaining the topic in a simple and easily understandable way.

The reference to the hadiths, including the ones narrated by Abu Hurairah, is particularly helpful in illustrating the importance of purity in Islam. Understanding that bathing in non-flowing water while in a state of junub (post-sexual impurity) or urinating in such water can affect its purity was an important realization for me. Before reading this article, I had some confusion about whether the water would still be considered clean after such actions. Now, I understand that while the water doesn't become impure, its purity is compromised, and this affects its suitability for further use in rituals like wudu or ablution.

Furthermore, the clear distinction between the concepts of junub and regular bathing, as well as the explanation about the uncleanliness of urine, really helped solidify my understanding of the Islamic principles of purification. The article didn't just cover the specific actions but also gave background information on what it means to be in a state of junub and why it is important to purify oneself correctly. This context is so valuable for anyone, especially someone like me who is still learning the nuances of Islamic teachings.

I also appreciate how the article stresses the significance of purification for the validity of worship. As a new Muslim, I often wonder if I am performing my acts of worship correctly, and this article reassured me that maintaining physical and spiritual purity is fundamental to my relationship with Allah. The practical examples provided make it easy to follow the guidance.

Overall, I am extremely grateful to the author for taking the time to write such an insightful and comprehensive article. I'm sure this will be a helpful resource for many other new Muslims or anyone looking to deepen their understanding of Islamic practices related to purification. Thank you so much for this excellent explanation! May Allah bless you for sharing this valuable knowledge.
Comment Author Avatar
January 13, 2025 at 6:55 AM Delete
Hi Omar,

Ameen.

You're welcome and thank you for reading this article.

Regards,