[Q 681] Purity of Clothes with Remaining Stain

Question

If impure clothing is washed under flowing water (such as tap water), and the cloth is rubbed during washing, but a stain or mark of the impurity remains, is it necessary to wash it three times if the mark does not disappear?
When washing under flowing water, does it count as washing three times if the same washing process is repeated three times, or is one continuous wash sufficient?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
الجواب بعون الملك الوهاب اللهم هداية الحق والصواب

Answer

If a visible impurity (najasa) is present, it will be considered pure when the impurity itself and its effects, meaning its color, smell, and taste, are removed.

If a garment has been thoroughly purified but a mark of the impurity remains, and removing this mark would be difficult and cause hardship, then there is no need to wash the garment three more times to eliminate this mark. Rather, despite the persistence of this mark, the garment will be considered pure. For further details, please refer to this fatwa.

It should be noted that if the garment is washed in running water, such as tap water which is also running water, and it is washed for such a duration that there is a strong presumption that the impurity has been completely removed and the water has carried away all the impurity, then the garment will also become pure in this manner.

Answered by: Mubashir Attari (AskMufti Scholar)
Verified by: Mufti Sajid Attari
Translated answer
Date: 23rd July 2026