Cleanliness of Skin, Hair and Wool

Ahl-ul-Bayt (AS) has said, ‘It is unlawful to buy or sell or pray over the skin of dead animals. Nevertheless they permitted the use of skin in the same manner as in the case of dishonored clothes, for example, as a garment to wrap oneself in, or clothes to keep oneself warm, but not for praying in. Neither by tanning (exposure to sunlight) nor by washing nor by any other means can carrion (dead or decaying flesh or the animal that is not ritually slaughtered) be purified.’

Imaam Ja’far us-Saadiq (AS) has said, “Rasulullah (SAWS) forbade prayers to be offered on the skins of carrion (the dead or rotting body of an animal), even if they are tanned.” Imaam Mohammad Baaqir (AS) has said, ‘Prayers cannot be offered on the skins of carrion even if they have been tanned seventy times.’ Maulana Ali (AS) said, ‘I heard Rasulullah (SAWS) saying that neither the hide (skin) nor the bone nor the muscle of carrion can be used lawfully, but the skin can be used as a blanket which does not come in direct contact with human body.’ ‘The price of the skins of wild animals constitutes unlawful trade.’

Imaam Ja’far us-Saadiq (AS) has said, ‘Prayers cannot be offered with any garment made out of skin of a wild animal, nor can you prostrate on it. The came rule applies to anything made out of the skins of animals whose flesh is unlawful.’

Imaam Ja’far us-Saadiq (AS) declared the sale or use of human hair as disapproved. He said, “Everything that falls from the human body is carrion (dead). Similarly, everything that falls from a living animal becomes carrion and cannot be eaten. Contrary to the human hair, it is permissible to use the wool, fur, and hair of animals, that are lawful to eat, when shaved, provided it is washed. Then it may be used as clothing, and prayers can be offered in those clothes, and carpets made of those things can be used as prayer mats (masalla).