Question
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I have a question regarding purity. Basically I wear a type of trouser which is of a certain type of quality (thick and black) and I do not really feel comfortable in other types of trousers. Due to the nature of the material I do not really wash them but buy several pairs and then wear one pair for at least several weeks (ironing and brushing them regularly) before moving on to the next pair. I wash all my other clothes as normal. I understand there isn’t a problem with doing this. However my only concern is regarding the purity of the trousers. When I think I have discharged any impurity I sprinkle the area with water and move on. However sometimes a bit of impurity may come out suddenly, for example when sneezing or making a sudden movement and so on and it can be unclear exactly where the impurity went or how much or if it even penetrated through the underwear to the trouser, especially as the material is black. My question is that in such circumstances is it still possible to guess which area was affected and sprinkle the area with water and thereafter ignore it?
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Also regarding purity in general, is the rule that unless you are definite of coming into contact with impure substances such as urine and you cannot feel or see it then you should ignore doubts, what if you feel you may have leaked urine but are wearing dark material which makes it impossible to tell?
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It is said that when an impurity such as madhi or urine becomes dry it is only necessary to rub it or scratch it off. Does this mean that when it is dry it is not really unclean anymore. Can a clothes brush be used to do this if necessary or would the brush become unclean too?
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When washing a stain with water is it necessary for the stain to completely vanish or is simply making the area wet enough to ignore other doubts? Also if you are sure you discharged an impurity but not sure whether it has gone through the underwear to the top cloth what should you do?
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In the case of discharging madhi the area can be simply sprinkled with water and then ignored but is there a limit to the amount of madhi which can get on the clothes before it must be changed because I remember reading there is a limit before this rule of sprinkling can no longer be used and the whole clothes/underwear must be changed.
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How can a person stop worrying about such small things so much so that he gets put off prayer and other important things because he feels he wont be accepted unless he is 100% absolutely clean?
Thank you for your help,
Wassalam
Answer
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There is no reason to guess. Wipe with the water you sprinkle wide and in the general in area and then you should not worry about any impurity as you have cleansed the area.
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If you suspect it then there is no harm in cleaning yourself. Sometimes, just the mental preoccupation can cause undue stress. Thus, it would be in your interest to take care of it so that you are not overly concerned with it. However, to save oneself from being overly stressed by the thought, it is advisable to completely any doubts arising in your mind, which are not substantiated by any physical indications.
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Dried out and undetected madhi or semen may simply be scratched off, wherever it is possible to do so. Brushing the clothes would suffice. It would not effect the brush.
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If the cloth has gone through a washing process and there remains a stain it is no longer an impurity. If there is a discharge and you are not sure if it has penetrated through your underwear and there is no physical indication of it either, then you may completely ignore it and not let doubt enter your mind.
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Anytime a discharge, that does not require a complete body wash (ghusul), is minimal and can be wiped clean with a reasonable amount of water then that should be done. It is up to the individual’s good judgment as to what to do.
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The only way of doing so is to trust God’s mercy on us. The Almighty has promised us that He shall not hold man responsible for more than what he could have done. Each person is accountable according to his own abilities and strength. Do the best you can in keeping your body and clothes clean, ignore the trivia and concentrate your mind, body and soul in invoking God’s forgiveness and mercy upon yourself, for any mistakes that we may have committed. Remember, physical cleansing is extremely important, yet it must not overwhelm the spirit of our bowing down to the Almighty.
I hope I have clarified the issue.
God knows best.