Impurity is transferred through dampness from any liquid, not just water

15-7-2015 | IslamWeb

Question:

As-salaamu 3laikum. Is impurity transferred by oil/gel or just by wetness? If I have oil on my hand and I touch a dry impurity/ an impurity that can't be seen, does my hand become impure? Jazaakum Allahu khair

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

Oil is no doubt a liquid, so if oil is on one's hand and it touches something impure, then the impurity transmits to the hand with oil on it. However, if this impurity cannot be seen with the naked eye as it is a very small amount, as you mentioned, then according to some scholars, this is overlooked, and so does not have any effect. Some scholars are of the view that a small amount of impurity is overlooked in an absolute sense. This was the view chosen by Shaykhul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah .

If you suffer from Waswaas (obsessive whispers), then you may act according to this view.

Allaah Knows best.