Ruling on small amounts of impurity
The following references a fatwa from IslamQA, shown in a box (Fatwa 12720).
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Trace amounts of impurities can be overlooked
From IslamQA, Fatwa 12720
Ruling on a small amount of impurity:
Some of the scholars said that a small amount of impurity cannot be overlooked at all.
Some of them said that a small amount of all types of impurity may be overlooked. This is the view of Abu Haneefah and was the view favoured by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah, especially with regard to problems that many people face, because it is too difficult to be thorough and to clean it properly all the time. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"and [Allaah] has not laid upon you in religion any hardship"
[al-Hajj 22:78]
The correct view is the view of Abu Haneefah and Ibn Taymiyah. Among the small amounts of impurity that may be overlooked because it is too difficult to guard against it is a small amount of urine in the case of one who suffers from incontinence but tries to guard against it as much as he can.
With regard to what constitutes a small amount, whatever ordinary people consider to be a lot is a lot, and whatever they consider to be a little is a little.
On this basis it may be said that the basic principle is that if a few drops of urine get on a person's garment and he washes off whatever got on it, until he thinks it most likely that the najaasah has disappeared, then whatever is left and is not washed comes under the heading of the small amount of najaasah that may be overlooked, as stated above. And Allaah knows best.
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So the stronger view of the scholars is that trace amounts of impurities can be over looked. As for the constant attacks of shaitaan on whether the clothes are clean or not when a person goes to the washroom, the basic thing is to do all that you can to prevent your clothes from getting unclean.
You MUST give yourself the benefit of doubt
Also, unless you are certain that there is urine on your clothes, you are not supposed to wash them. This is a big thing, you MUST give yourself the benefit of the doubt.
Unaware of impurity?
If you’re unaware of impurity, your prayer’s still accepted insha’Allah. See the box below.
Were aware of impurity, forgot about it, then prayed?
If you were aware of impurity, forgot about it, then prayed, and then remembered your impurity, your prayer’s still accepted insha’Allah. See the box below.
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From IslamQA, Fatwa 12720
Shaykh Ibn Baaz was asked about the case of one who is unaware of the najaasah. He said:
If he does not find out that it is impure until after he has finished praying, then his prayer is valid, because when the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was told by Jibreel whilst he was praying that there was something dirty on his shoe, he did not repeat the first part of his prayer. The same applies if he knows about it (i.e., the impurity) before he prays, then he forgets and prays wearing (the garment with the impurity), and does not remember until after he has finished praying, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Our Lord! Punish us not if we forget or fall into error"
[al-Baqarah 2: 286]
But if he has some doubts whilst praying as to whether there is some impurity on his clothes, it is not permissible for him to stop praying, whether he is leading the prayers or is praying alone; he must complete his prayer.
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“I worry whether my clothes are clean or not. I’m uncertain.”
Your clothes are assumed clean unless you are absolutely certain of some impurity. See box below.
From IslamQA, Fatwa 12720
4 – Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen said: with regard to a person's clothes, the basic principle is that they are taahir (pure) so long as he is not certain that some impurity has gotten onto his body or clothes. This basic principle is supported by what the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said when a man complained to him that something happened to him during his prayer – i.e., he broke his wudoo'. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to him: "Do not stop praying unless you hear a sound or detect a smell." If a person is not sure about it, then the basic principle is that he is taahir (pure). A person may think it is more likely that his clothes have become contaminated with najaasah but so long as he is not certain, the basic principle is that they remain taahir (clean)
