Purification in Islamic Jurisprudence (8)

Purifying Agents (Mutahhirat) (2)

The Rulings on the earth, the Sun, Transmutation (Istihalah), Transformation (Inqilab), and Transfer (Intiqal)

Following the previous section’s discussion on water as the most important purifying agent, this instalment addresses five further purifiers: the earth, the Sun, Transmutation (Istihalah), Transformation (Inqilab), and Transfer (Intiqal). By recognising these natural factors, Islam provides a simple and rational way to maintain ritual purity in daily life and across various natural and chemical conditions.

1. Jurisprudential Criteria and Juristic Views

A) The earth

The earth can purify the sole of the foot or the bottom of a shoe that has become impure through walking, provided that:

• The ground is pure and dry, or has moisture that does not transfer.
• The physical impurity (‘ayn al-najāsah), such as blood or faeces, is completely removed by walking or rubbing the shoe against the ground.
• The ground consists of soil, stone, brick, cement, or paving stones. Whether asphalt or carpets purify is a matter of disagreement and juristic precaution.

B) The Sun

Direct sunlight can purify fixed, immovable objects, such as ground, walls, trees, etc., provided that:

• The object is moist.
• The physical impurity has already been removed.
• Sunlight shines directly upon it and causes it to dry.

C) Transmutation (Istihalah)

If the nature of an impure thing changes completely, such that in common perception (‘urf) its substance and reality are altered (such as impure wood turning into ashes, or an animal’s body turning into salt in a salt mine), that object becomes pure because the subject of the legal ruling has changed.

D) Transformation (Inqilab)

This ruling specifically applies to intoxicating liquids, such as wine turning into vinegar—whether spontaneously or by adding other substances. When wine fully converts into vinegar, it becomes pure and permissible (halal).

E) Transfer (Intiqal)

If the blood of a human or a warm-blooded animal enters the body of an animal that conventionally lacks flowing blood (such as a mosquito), and that blood is considered “mosquito blood” in common perception, it is pure.

2. The Ease of Islamic Law and Pedagogical Messages

• Rulings such as purification via the earth or the Sun show that ritual purity is not meant to be difficult or costly. A person should not face hardship during daily movement and travel.
• In transmutation (istihalah) and transformation (inqilab), the message is that one should not harbour obsessive doubts regarding the past state of a substance. Once the nature of something changes, Islamic law recognises that reality and considers excessive curiosity about its original source improper.

3. Preserving Intellect and Preventing Obsessive Doubt

• Regarding natural purifiers, as soon as the legal conditions are met, purity is attained. Insisting on additional washing usually stems from obsessive doubt (waswas) and is deemed disapproved (makruh) in jurisprudence.
• In cases such as transfer (intiqal) or transmutation (istihalah), identifying the subject is entrusted to common perception (‘urf) to prevent meticulous or obsessive behaviours.

4. Practical Rulings on Contemporary Issues

Cooking with Culinary Alcohol (Wine, Rum, Cognac, etc.)

• The evaporation of culinary alcohols in food is not considered transmutation (istihalah), and therefore remains impure; it is merely a change of physical state.
• Even a single drop of culinary alcohol renders the entire dish impure and forbidden (haram) to consume, even if it evaporates completely.

Alcohol in Industrial Foodstuffs and Medicines

• Industrial and medical alcohols (ethanol, methanol) that are not derived from intoxicating beverages are pure.
• If the alcohol in bread or medicine is so minute that it is not considered an intoxicant, and a person does not know it was derived from culinary alcohol (khamr), consuming it is permissible and pure.

Walking on Asphalt

According to most jurists, asphalt is not a purifying agent. To purify shoes, one must walk on soil, stone, or cement, or wash them with water.

Chemical Substances

If an impure substance completely changes its nature through an industrial process, the final product is pure.

Drying via Artificial Light

To be purified by the Sun, the drying must be caused by the Sun itself; drying via a heater or artificial light is insufficient.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (According to Juristic Decrees)

Is ethanol, which is a type of alcohol, pure and permissible to consume?

Alcohols are generally divided into two categories:

1. Alcohol obtained through petroleum and petrochemical industries.
2. Alcohol obtained through the distillation of vapours from wine and other intoxicating drinks (beers, spirits, etc.).

Ethanol is an industrial alcohol; from a chemical standpoint, it is identical to fermented alcohol. However, the term khamr definitely does not apply to industrial alcohol. Conversely, fermented alcohol obtained by distilling the vapour of wine or any other culinary alcohol carries the designation of khamr.

What is the ruling on medical and industrial alcohol?

Medical and industrial alcohol is pure if a person does not know it was derived from an intoxicating liquid.

What is the ruling on alcohol in foodstuffs such as bread?

If one knows that it is a fermented type of alcohol originating from wine or an intoxicating drink, its consumption is not permitted. On the other hand, if the quantity is extremely small and it is not established that it was prepared from khamr, it is pure and lawful (halal) for consumption.

Is asphalt also considered to have the same ruling as the earth?

No. Pure, dry earth (soil, stone, cement) is purifying, but asphalt is not a purifying agent.

What is the ruling on blood drawn by a mosquito from a human?

Blood drawn by a mosquito from a human is pure once it is conventionally considered “mosquito blood”.

Concluding Remarks

Validating purifiers such as the earth, the Sun, transmutation (istihalah), transformation (inqilab), and transfer (intiqal) demonstrates that Islamic jurisprudence is in harmony with natural realities. These rulings transform purification into a simple, natural, and rational process, preventing unnecessary rigour and obsessive behaviours.