Jurisprudence

Jana-bat is a ritual impurity caused by the discharge of semen or by sexual intercourse, and the person on whom Ghusl al-Jana-bat becomes obligatory is known as a mujnib.

Things that are Makru-h for someone in the state of jana-bat 28

1. Eating

2. Drinking

However, if the person in this state of jana-bat washes his hands, face and mouth, then eating and drinking in that state will not be Makru-h. It is therefore easier that one performs Wudu-.

3. Sleeping

However, if the junub does not have water, or on account of water not being available, tayammum can be performed instead of Ghusl.

4. To touch with any parts of the body, the cover, margin, border of the Noble Qur’an or the space between its lines.

5. To have sexual intercourse when one is in the state of Ihtela-m (i.e. discharge of semen during sleep).

6. To dye one’s hair with henna.

7. To apply oil on one’s body.

8. To keep the Noble Qur’an with oneself.

9. To recite more than seven verses of the Noble Qur’an other than those in which obligatory sajdah occur (to recite these verses is hara-m).

NOTE: The definition of ‘Makru-h of worship (‘Iba-dat)’ is different to the general ruling of Makru-h, which is that it is better that one does not perform the action. For example it is Makru-h for a traveller to recite Dhuhr, ‘Asr and Isha- Sala-t behind someone who is a non-traveller and vice versa 29 or it is Makru-h to recite Qur’an in Sajdah 30. This ‘Makru-h of worship (‘Iba-dat)’ does not mean that it is better that one does not perform the action, but rather it means that if you do perform the act, then the amount of reward received is less as compared to normal.

Things which are forbidden for someone in the state of Jana-bat 31

1. To touch with any part of one’s body script of the Noble Qur’an, or the name of the Almighty Alla-h (swt) in whatever language it may be. It is better that the names of the 14 Ma’su-mi-n (as) are also not touched in this state.

2. Entering Masjid al-Hara-m or Masjid al-Nabi-.

3. To stay or halt in all other Masa-jid, and similarly on the basis of obligatory precaution to stay in the shrines of the Noble Ima-ms is also hara-m. However, there is no harm in if one crosses or traverses through a Masjid, entering from one door and exiting through the other.

4. To enter a Masjid with the intention of lifting something up or placing something in it.

5. To recite verses of the Noble Qur’an in which performance of the sajdah becomes obligatory: Surat ‘Ali-f Lam Mim Sajdah (32:15), Surat Ha Mim Sajdah (41:38), Surat Najm (53:62) and Surat al-’Alaq (96:19).

Notes:

28. Islamic Laws, Rule 362

29. Islamic Laws, Rule 1499

30. Islamic Laws Rule 1101

31 Islamic Laws, Rule 361

Adapted from the book: "From Marriage to Parenthood; The Heavenly Path" by: "Abbas and Shahin Merali"