Sleeping on a Filthy Bed and Purity

Question: If there is nocturnal emission which results in a wet patch on the bed, would it be allowed to lie down on that bed later, once it has completely dried by itself?

Answer: In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,

Assalam’aleykum, I pray this finds you in the best of states.

Jazakum Allah khayr for your question!

Yes, it would be allowed for you to lie down on this bed after the filth has dried. But, because the purity of one’s body from filth is a condition for the prayer, the question to ask yourself now is: Will I have filth on my body after waking up? Do I need to wash my body in order to be allowed to pray?

If a limb comes into contact with an item or area that is religiously filthy, there is no transfer of filth unless its traces are clearly manifest on the pure limb or if the limb or the item was dripping wet [Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah].

This is how you judge if a transfer of filth has occurred between your body and the bed.

So if upon waking up, you can’t see or smell on your skin the nocturnal emission you won’t have to wash your body to be allowed to pray.

Please see: https://seekers.flywheelstaging.com/answers/hanafi-fiqh/transfer-filth-occur/

Cleanliness is Praiseworthy

The general act of keeping things clean and neat is praiseworthy. We know this because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) held in high regard Umm Mihjan (Allah be pleased with her) who used to clean the masjid.

This companion passed away without the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) knowing. He then asked the others what had happened to her. Upon being told that she had passed, he said, “Did you not think to tell me?” They replied in a manner indicating they did not think it newsworthy. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) asked them to point out her grave, over which he then prayed [Bukhari].

This tradition speaks to not just the importance of cleaning the masjid, but cleanliness in general; it was her act of continually cleaning the masjid that was noteworthy.

There are other pieces of evidence that point to the importance of cleanliness in the Islamic tradition, such as the Qur’anic verse that “Allah loves those who turn to him, and loves those who keep themselves clean” [Qur’an; 2.222], as well as the Prophet’s saying (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) that “keeping clean is half of faith” [Muslim].

Please see: https://seekers.flywheelstaging.com/answers/general-counsel/rewards-cleaning-ones-home/

And Allah knows best. I hope that the above answers your question. If something is unclear please don’t hesitate to ask again.

May Allah Most High grant you the best of this world and the next. Please keep us in your du’as!

Wassalam

[Ustadh]  Sufyan Qufi