How to Clean When Being Uncertain About Impurities (Part 12)

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If one is unsure as to where the impurities is, then he must clean what he thinks is likely (text of Zaad al-Mustaqni).

Al-Uthaymeen explains impuirities can refer to larger surface areas and smaller ones.

If it’s a larger surface area, then he should wash and clean as much he thinks is likely as overcompensating, because of his doubt, causes hardships.

If the surface area is smaller then he must wash all of the areas and overcompensate thus being certain that all effected areas have been washed.

For example, if a persons sleeve is impure but he is unsure which one, then he must wash both sleeves completely, because this leads to certainty.

The Hanbali madhab don’t have this differentiation, they say all impurities must be removed until one has full certainty and has overcompensated in order to ensure that all impurities have been removed.

The correct opinion with al-Uthaymeen is that he makes an educated guess and goes with what’s most likely:

-“(If you have a doubt) then follow what you think is correct and then carry on.” [al-Bukhaaree (401) and Muslim (572)]

So if a person thinks most likely its his right sleeve, then he must clean that sleeve alone without the left sleeve being Waajib upon him.

However, if a person has no sense of what is likely and he has doubt between two or more options, then in this case he must wash all – because he has no inkling.

Therefore we can summarize with following four scenarios:

                      1-He is certain that both places are impure, then he must wash them both.

2-He is certain that one is impure and not the other, in this case he must wash the one place alone without the other.

3-He is not certain which of the two are impure, but thinks one is more likely over the other, then he washes what he thinks is likely, according to the correct opinion.

                      4-He is not certain at all and both options are likely, then he must wash both places.

However the Hanbalees said in all forms of uncertainty then he must wash what is extra.

ash-Sharh al-Mumti1/435-437

And Allah Knows best