How to Purify the Ground from Urine and Blood

Question

This Q&A addresses the methods of purifying surfaces contaminated with urine and blood according to Islamic teachings. [AR_ID:5396]

Answer 1

Peace be upon you.

Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Khamenei (may Allah protect him):

If the impurity is removed from the ground, it is sufficient for water to cover the area if purification is done with a large amount of water, and the wash is considered pure.

However, if purification is done with a small amount of water, for urine, it must be washed twice, while for other impurities, one wash is sufficient. The wash water from a small amount is considered impure.

Important Note Regarding the Wash Water:

After the impurity is removed by any means, pour a small amount of water on the impure area. The water will naturally gather in one place, then immediately remove the wash water with a cloth or similar item if it does not drain through a sewage outlet. It is recommended to pour water on it again and remove the wash water with a cloth or similar item; this will purify the area. This applies to impurities other than urine. For urine, the same previous method applies, but the contaminated area must be washed twice.
Source: Special Inquiry.

Note Regarding Purification by Sunlight:

The sun purifies the ground and everything that is not movable, such as buildings and what is used in them, like doors, windows, walls, columns, and similar items, as well as trees and plants.

Conditions for purification by sunlight include:

The contaminated item must be wet.

There should be no visible impurity (if present, it must be removed before sunlight shines on it).

The sunlight must shine directly on it without any obstruction like clouds or curtains.

It must dry by sunlight; if it remains wet, it will not be purified.

Source: Educational Message - Water - Large and Flowing + Small Water + Educational Message - Purifiers (2) - Sun.

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Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sistani (may Allah protect him):

Solid ground or surfaces made of brick, stone, asphalt, or similar materials can be purified with a large amount of water; it is sufficient for the water to cover the area in a way that the impurity is dissolved, either literally or figuratively.

For small amounts of water, it can be purified if the water flows over it, but the wash water remains impure unless it is separated from it, even if it is done by wiping it with a cloth or similar item, in which case the wash water is also considered pure.

Note:

- The sun purifies the ground and what is established on it from buildings, but not what is connected to it, such as doors, wood, and stakes, as a precaution. This also applies to trees and their leaves, fruits, vegetables, and plants.

- Conditions for purification by sunlight, in addition to the removal of visible impurity and the moisture of the area, include drying due to sunlight, even if it is accompanied by other factors like wind.

- If the contaminated ground is dry and one wishes to purify it, pure or impure water can be poured on it, and if it dries in the sun, it will be purified.

- If the ground is contaminated with urine and sunlight shines on it until it dries, it will be purified without the need to pour water on it. However, if the urine is thick and has a solid mass, the mass will not be purified by drying, nor will the surface of the ground where the mass is located.

Source: Minhaj al-Salihin - Vol. 1 - Purifiers - First + M 452 (First) + 455 + 467 + Third (Sun).

May you be successful in all good.