Making salat in clothes that may be impure

Welcome Back To Islam
One never converts to Islam, but only returns to his or her original nature

Letters/Q&A

Making salat in clothes that may be impure

I am a nurse. My job includes taking blood specimen and cleaning patients. May I pray with my uniform on during working hours? I am concerned about the cleanliness of my clothes, but it is also important to say salat on time.

- Anonymous, 13 November 2002

Answer

Your question reveals the care you take in making sure that salat is offered in proper clothes. However negligent one might consider this to be, Allah (swt) will certainly reward his servants even for such sincerity and good thoughts.

To address the question: One should not be unduly concerned with the fact that he or she is engaged in taking blood samples or cleaning patients as part of daily work routines. These actions by themselves do not invalidate the state of purity of the clothing so long as any impurity does not touch the clothes. Therefore, one should perform prayer with the confidence that the clothes are pure.

If any impurity or blood gets on the clothes, then that portion of the clothes can be washed off, or when that is not possible during work hours, then wiped off using wet napkins. If it is just some sprinkle of blood that is barely noticeable, then one can just sprinkle some water on that portion of the clothes with the intention of purifying it. If the impurity is large enough and washing off that portion of the clothes or replacing the uniform with a clean one is not possible, then one should still perform salat after sprinkling some water over the clothes knowing that Allah (swt) does not put undue burden on one and He knows the intention and sincerity in everyone's heart -

"It is not Allah's desire to place a burden upon you, but He desire to purify you and to perfect His favor on you in order that you may be thankful." (5:6)

"... Allah desires ease for you, and He does not desire hardship for you .." (2: 185)

Necessity, therefore, dictates exception. For example, when life is threatened due to lack of food, then even unlawful food or drink becomes lawful, or in fact mandatory. Or when one cannot control bladder due to old age or illness and drops of urine frequently spoil the clothes, then he or she is permitted to make salat even in such clothes after sprinkling water over the clothes. Otherwise, it would be a terrible hardship to keep changing and washing clothes all the time. It should, however, be stated that exception is limited to dire necessity and circumstance and cannot be taken as a general rule.

Finally, may Allah (swt) reward you for taking care of patients. Allah (swt) loves those who are kind and compassionate and help others, especially those who are sick.

- Mushfiqur Rahman, 13 November 2002

Letters, questions, or views should be sent to editor@welcome-back.org or to mushfiqurrahman@hotmail.com. Unless otherwise notified by the sender, the piece sent may be published in this column with any answer if appropriate and after any editing for clarity, brevity, and grammer. Only last name or the first name of the sender will be used (to hide his/her identity) if the piece is published, unless the sender wishes to publish his or her full name/email address. Articles and letters published may not necessarily represent the views of Welcome-Back.org or its affiliations.