Understanding an-Najasah: Definition, Types, and Islamic Guidelines for Purity
The Definition of an-Najasah ~ Hi readers! In this article, I will explain an-Najasah and its types in general. All Muslims must understand it well because it is something that can prevent them from performing certain obligatory rituals in Islam. Without knowledge of an-Najasah, a Muslim might find it difficult to determine whether they are in a state of purity required for these rituals.
The Types of an-Najasah According to Islamic Scholars
In the teachings of Islam, an-Najasah (النجاسة an-Najasah) is the opposite of holiness (ath-Thaharah). An-Najasah refers to substances that are considered impure in Islamic teachings and can prevent a person from performing certain religious rituals, such as prayer, hajj, reciting the Quran, and so on. Broadly speaking, an-Najasah is categorized into two kinds:
An-Najasah by essence (النجاسة الحقيقية an-Najasah al-Haqiqiyyah)
What is meant by an-Najasah by essence (النجاسة الحقيقية an-Najasah al-Haqiqiyyah) are impure substances that can invalidate prayer, such as blood, urine, human feces, and so forth.
This type of an-Najasah also has several subcategories: some are considered severe (مغلظة mughalladhah) and some are considered minor (مخففة mukhaffafah); there are solid forms (جامدة jaamidah) and liquid forms (مائعة ma'i'ah); some are visible (مرئية mar'iyyah) and some are invisible (غير مرئية ghair mar'iyyah). I will discuss these categories in detail in the next article, insha Allah.
This type of an-Najasah typically adheres to the body, clothing, and place of prayer. It must be removed before engaging in religious rituals that require purity.
An-Najasah by condition (النجاسة الحكمية an-Najasah al-Hukmiyyah)
An-Najasah by condition (النجاسة الحكمية an-Najasah al-Hukmiyyah) refers to a state that, according to Islamic law, prevents a person from performing religious rituals. This type of an-Najasah can only be removed through wudu or ghusl in the specific ways prescribed by Islamic teachings.
For example, after urination, the urine itself falls into the category of an-Najasah by essence (النجاسة الحقيقية an-Najasah al-Haqiqiyyah), while the state of impurity resulting from urination is an-Najasah by condition (النجاسة الحكمية an-Najasah al-Hukmiyyah). Until one performs wudu or tayammum (dry ablution if water is not available), they should refrain from religious rituals such as praying or reciting the Quran.
Another example is after sexual intercourse or ejaculation due to a dream. As long as one has not purified themselves through a bath (with the specific requirements set in Islamic teachings) or tayammum, they should avoid performing religious rituals like prayer or reading the Quran.
The Types of an-Najasah Agreed and Disagreed Upon by Islamic Scholars
After briefly discussing the types of an-Najasah by essence (النجاسة الحقيقية an-Najasah al-Haqiqiyyah) and an-Najasah by condition (النجاسة الحكمية an-Najasah al-Hukmiyyah), I will now invite the reader to understand the types of an-Najasah that are agreed upon and those that are disputed. Knowledge of this is very important because it helps us identify what constitutes an-Najasah and what is uncertain.
The an-Najasah Types That Are Agreed Upon by Islamic Scholars
- Pig.
The pig is considered an-Najasah in Islam. All parts of the pig’s body, including its flesh, bones, skin, etc., are impure. A person is not allowed to eat its flesh, even if it has been slaughtered according to Islamic law. Allah says:
حُرِّمَتۡ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡمَيۡتَةُ وَٱلدَّمُ وَلَحۡمُ ٱلۡخِنزِيرِ وَمَآ أُهِلَّ لِغَيۡرِ ٱللَّهِ بِهِۦ وَٱلۡمُنۡخَنِقَةُ وَٱلۡمَوۡقُوذَةُ وَٱلۡمُتَرَدِّيَةُ وَٱلنَّطِيحَةُ وَمَآ أَكَلَ ٱلسَّبُعُ إِلَّا مَا ذَكَّيۡتُمۡ وَمَا ذُبِحَ عَلَى ٱلنُّصُبِ وَأَن تَسۡتَقۡسِمُواْ بِٱلۡأَزۡلَامِۚ ذَٰلِكُمۡ فِسۡقٌۗ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ يَئِسَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ مِن دِينِكُمۡ فَلَا تَخۡشَوۡهُمۡ وَٱخۡشَوۡنِۚ ٱلۡيَوۡمَ أَكۡمَلۡتُ لَكُمۡ دِينَكُمۡ وَأَتۡمَمۡتُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ نِعۡمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ ٱلۡإِسۡلَٰمَ دِينٗاۚ فَمَنِ ٱضۡطُرَّ فِي مَخۡمَصَةٍ غَيۡرَ مُتَجَانِفٖ لِّإِثۡمٖ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٞ رَّحِيمٞ
Forbidden to you is that which dies of itself, and blood, and the flesh of swine, and that on which any other name than that of Allah has been invoked, and the strangled (animal) and that beaten to death, and that killed by a fall and that killed by being smitten with the horn, and that which wild beasts have eaten, except what you slaughter, and what is sacrificed on stones set up (for idols) and that you divide by arrows; that is a transgression. This day those who disbelieve have despaired of your religion, so fear them not, and fear Me. This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and chosen for you Islam as a religion; but whoever is compelled by hunger, not inclining willfully to sin, then surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. (Al-Maa’idah [5]; 3).
The Prophet Muhammad (shallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:
مَنْ لَعِبَ بِالنَّرْدَشِيْرِ فَكَأَنَّمَا صَبَغَ يَدَهُ فِيْ لَحْمِ خِنْزِيْرٍ وَدَمِهِ
Whoever plays dice is as if he has put his hand into the flesh and blood of a pig.
- Blood.
In Islamic teachings, blood is considered an-Najasah, whether it is human blood or animal blood, except for the blood of martyrs and the blood of animals that can live in water, such as fish.
- Human urine (other than that of a young child still suckling), vomit coming out of the stomach through the mouth, and dirt coming out of the anus.
- Anything that can cause intoxication (khamr). Allah Ta'ala says:
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِنَّمَا ٱلۡخَمۡرُ وَٱلۡمَيۡسِرُ وَٱلۡأَنصَابُ وَٱلۡأَزۡلَٰمُ رِجۡسٞ مِّنۡ عَمَلِ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنِ فَٱجۡتَنِبُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تُفۡلِحُونَ
O you who believe! Intoxicants and games of chance, and (sacrificing to) stones set up and (dividing by) arrows are only an-Najasah, the work of Satan; shun it therefore that you may be successful. (Al-Maa’idah [5]; 90).
- Pus, Madzi (المذي al-Madhi) and wadi (الودي al-Wadi). Madzi (المذي al-Madhi) refers to a small amount of white liquid that emerges when a person is sexually aroused or imagines sexual activity. When madzi emerges, one should wash and then perform wudu.
Wadi (الودي al-Wadi) is a thick, cloudy liquid that comes out before or after urination or when a person carries a heavy burden. Similarly, if sand or gravel comes out of the genitals (penis or vagina) after urination, this sand or gravel is considered an-Najasah.
- Meat and dairy products from animals that cannot live in water, whether the animal is edible or not.
- Meat and dairy from animals that Muslims are not permitted to eat.
- Parts of the human body or animals that are separated or cut off, except for hair.
The an-Najasah Types That Are Disputed by Islamic Scholars
- Dog. Animal carcasses that can live in water and carcasses of animals that do not bleed.
- Dense parts of carcasses, such as horns, bones, teeth, etc., that have no blood.
- Skin carrion.
- Urine of a baby who is still nursing and does not consume any other food.
- Urine, sweat, and feces of animals whose meat is permissible to eat.
- Sperm.
- Pineapple-like substances that come out of ulcers.
- Human carcasses and saliva that comes out while a person is sleeping.
Conclusion
In conclusion, an-Najasah, or impurity, is crucial for Muslims to understand as it impacts their ability to perform certain religious rituals. It is broadly categorized into two types: an-Najasah by essence, which includes tangible impurities like blood, urine, and feces, and an-Najasah by condition, which refers to the state of impurity affecting one's ability to engage in rituals until purification is performed. Islamic scholars agree on certain types of an-Najasah, such as the flesh of pigs and blood, while some are debated, including the impurity of dogs and the urine of nursing infants. Knowledge of these classifications helps Muslims maintain purity and adhere to religious practices. This understanding fosters better observance of Islamic duties and enhances tolerance toward differing scholarly opinions on impurities.
I believe this article sufficiently covers the definition of an-Najasah. See you again in the next article.
