Combining Paak And Napaak Clothing In A Washing Machine
Q1) Whenever I have a wet dream, my clothes quickly dry up, leaving no visible trace. These impure clothes are washed together with other pure clothes in the washing machine. Are all clothes now deemed impure?
A1) When impure clothing is placed in a washing machine with Paak clothing, then the impure clothing causes all the water to become impure. However, this water is then drained out. Thereafter, clean water enters the drum and the clothes are washed for a second time and drained out with all the impure detergents. Thereafter, clean water enters the drum for the third time and is drained out after rinsing the clothing. Hence, no impurity remains on the clothing and therefore, results in the clothing becoming clean. In conclusion, clothing washed in a washing machine is considered as Paak. [Re:- Fataawa Haqqaniyyah Pg.568 Vol.2]
However, it is best to wash off the impurities from the Napaak clothing first, and then place it into the washing machine with the clean clothing. In this instance, all the clothing that is being washed in the machine will be Paak.
(يَجُوزُ رَفْعُ نَجَاسَةٍ حَقِيقِيَّةٍ عَنْ مَحَلِّهَا) وَلَوْ إنَاءً أَوْ مَأْكُولًا عُلِمَ مَحَلُّهَا أَوْ لَا (بِمَاءٍ لَوْ مُسْتَعْمَلًا) بِهِ يُفْتَى (وَبِكُلِّ مَائِعٍ طَاهِرٍ قَالِعٍ) لِلنَّجَاسَةِ يَنْعَصِرُ بِالْعَصْرِ (كَخَلٍّ وَمَاءِ وَرْدٍ) حَتَّى الرِّيقُ، فَتَطْهُرُ أُصْبُعٌ وَثَدْيٌ تَنَجَّسَ بِلَحْسٍ ثَلَاثًا (رد المحتار على الدر المختار ج1 ص309)”
ويطهر متنجس” سواء كان بدنا أو ثوبا أو آنية “بنجاسة” ولو غليظة “مرئية” كدم “بزوال عينها ولو” كان “بمرة” أي غسلة واحدة “على الصحيح” ولا يشترط التكرار لأن النجاسة فيه باعتبار عينها فتزول بزواله مراقي الفلاح (شرح نور الإيضاح ص 67
Q2) I recently started washing the impure clothes before they are washed with the pure clothes. Due to the impurity not being visible, I cannot identify the affected area, so I hold the garment under a running tap, ensuring water reaches everywhere. I then squeeze out as much water as possible and repeat this 3 times. However, because I felt wetness both inside and outside the garment during the wet dream, I turn the garment inside out and repeat the process again, making it 6 washes in total. Is this excessive?
A2) One should wash using sufficient water to remove the impurity from the garment. There will be no need for one to wash the garments in the manner that one is currently doing.
وَإِنْ كَانَتْ النَّجَاسَةُ مَرْئِيَّةً كَالدَّمِ وَنَحْوِهِ، فَطَهَارَتُهَا زَوَالُ عَيْنِهَا، وَلَا عِبْرَةَ فِيهِ بِالْعَدَدِ؛ لِأَنَّ النَّجَاسَةَ فِي الْعَيْنِ فَإِنْ زَالَتْ الْعَيْنُ زَالَتْ النَّجَاسَةُ،
بدائع الصنائع في ترتيب الشرائع ج١ج١ص٨٨
Q3) If it is acceptable for impure and pure clothes to be washed together in 1 cycle, does washing powder/detergent have to be used, or does water alone suffice? Also, can I stop my current method of washing impure clothes separately, as I am finding it exhausting and difficult to maintain?
A3) This has been answered in question number one.
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Ahmed Saeed
Date: 11 Dhul Qa’dah 1447 / 29 April 2026
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Yacoob Vally Saheb