Does Smelling an Impurity (Najasa) Make the Inside of Your Nose Impure?

Question

I’ve been doubting whether smelling an impure object makes the inside of your nose Najis, thinking whether I’ve inhaled anything impure.

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him. Amin.

Waswasa (Religious Scrupulosity) is a psychological-cum-spiritual problem that will not be resolved by pursuing legal verdicts. It requires spiritual and psychological treatment.

Please view our reader on waswasa.

The smoke of filth (najasa) resulting from fire or burning the filth is considered filthy (najis). A little of this (measured according to what is customarily considered a little smoke) is overlooked, provided there are no traces of moisture. Much of this type of smoke would not be ignored and, therefore, may contaminate what it touches, including the inside of one’s nose. Intentionally inhaling this type of filthy smoke is unlawful, and Allah knows best. [Dimyati, I‘anat al-Talibin]

The natural smell or evaporation from filth (najasa) is considered pure (tahir) like the gas of flatulence and, therefore, cannot contaminate what it touches nor the inside of one’s nose should it enter the nose, and Allah knows best. [Ibid.]

Some jurists opine that making Istinja’ in case of farting is reprehensible since doing so will lead to exaggerations and whispers. In addition, Imam al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on his soul) said (What means): “The majority of Muslim jurists are of the view that making Istinja’ due to farting, sleeping, touching penis or touching women in which touching them renders one’s wudu invalid isn’t recommended.” [Nawawi, al-Majmu‘]

I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan.

Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.

He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.

Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.