What Are the Rulings of Performing Tawaf, Sa’y, and Prayer While Carrying a Baby With Dirty Diapers (Nappies)?

Answered by Ustadh Faraz A. Khan

Question: Assalamu Alaikum,

I have a question regarding Umrah/Hajj. My husband and I are planning on performing Umrah this year inshAllah. we intend to take our 8 month year old baby as well. What I’d like to know is, is ones umrah valid if they’re carrying a baby on the tawaf/sai since obviously the babies nappy will contain impurity?

( I would like the Hanafi position please)

JazakAllah Khair

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,

I pray this finds you in the best of health and faith.

The following is based on the Hanafi school:

(1) For tawaf, it is wajib that an area of one’s garment of the size that covers the awra to be free of filth (najasa). Regarding the rest of one’s clothing, it is sunna for it to be free of filth. [Ibn Nujaym, Bahr al-Ra’iq; Fatawa Hindiyya; Qari, Sharh Lubab al-Manasik]

Hence, performing tawaf while carrying a baby whose diaper/nappy contains filth would be valid, although preferable to avoid.

(2) For sa’y, it is preferable (mustahabb) for the garment to be free of filth. [Qari, Sharh Lubab al-Manasik]

Hence, carrying such a baby is fine during sa’y as well.

(3) For any prayer, one cannot carry a baby whose diaper/nappy contains filth [i.e., more than the excused amount]. Doing so would invalidate the prayer. [Shurunbulali, Maraqi ‘l-Falah]

Hence, for all prayers, including the two rakats of tawaf performed after tawaf, one may not hold a baby with a dirty diaper. Perhaps you and your spouse could take turns holding the baby while the other prays.

And Allah alone gives success.

wassalam

Faraz A. Khan