Cleaning af the mouth and nose

August 14, 2024
Answered by Mufti Ismail Moosa
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Question

Selamun aleykum.

Accordning to Hanafis:

If we eat something that is najis or bleed inside the mouth, how fo we have to clean our mouth ?
Do our mouths cleans themselves since salvia is produced and after a while we see no traces of for example the blood (or for example a candy that was najis, or food that was najis, a drink that was najis etc.). If so how long would it take for our mouth to clean itselve ? Until there are no traces left ?
Does it make a difference if we would eat something knowing it is najis ?

My second question is: Sometimes wounds appear inside my nose that bleed (the blood does not run down my nose. I know my nose is bleeding because I put a piece of cotton wool in my nose and I can see blood on it when I take it out of my nose). How should I clean my nose after the wound heals and stops bleeding? Would it be enough to draw water into my nose once and then let it out again? Should I clean my nose with water three times or just once? Would the water that remains after cleaning be najis?

✓

Answer

Wa’alaykum as-Salām wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuhu,

In Islam, it is essential to ensure that only that which is ḥalāl (permissible) and ṭayyib (pure and wholesome) enters our bodies. Ḥalāl refers to what is legally permissible in Islam, while ṭayyib emphasizes that the permissible should also be pure and beneficial. This principle encompasses the food we consume, the substances we use, and our practices to ensure they are not only allowed but also free from impurities.

In the unlikely event that one consumes something impure, the following guidelines apply:

  1. Cleaning the Mouth from Najis Substances:
    • If something najis (impure) enters the mouth or if blood is present, it is crucial to clean the mouth thoroughly. The mouth does not cleanse itself automatically, and the presence of najis substances or blood must be removed to ensure purity. If such substances are ingested voluntarily, it would be as though the person has consumed something ḥarām.
    • Method of Cleaning: The mouth should be rinsed thoroughly with water to remove any traces of najis material. Relying solely on the natural production of saliva is inadequate. Water must be used to rinse and ensure that all visible traces of najis substances are eliminated.
    • Duration of Natural Cleansing: There is no specific time frame for the mouth to naturally cleanse itself. Rinsing with water is the most effective method to ensure the removal of all najis substances.
  2. Cleaning the Nose After Bleeding:
    • Cleaning Method: After the bleeding stops and the wound has healed, the nose should be cleaned to ensure no traces of najis (blood) remain. Drawing water into the nose and then expelling it is an effective method of cleaning.
    • Frequency of Cleaning: It is recommended to perform this cleaning three times to ensure thoroughness, in accordance with the Sunnah of purification. This practice aligns with the general principle of thoroughness in purification.
    • Najis Water: The water used for cleaning, which might contain traces of blood, is considered najis and should be discarded. Ensure that the water used for purification is clean and that the cleaning process effectively removes all najis substances.

In summary, the mouth should be thoroughly rinsed to remove najis substances, and the nose should be cleaned with water three times after bleeding to ensure purity. Any remaining water that contains traces of najis material should be treated as najis.

And Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala knows best.

Answered by: Mufti Ismail Moosa