The saliva of non-Muslims is ritually pure unless proven otherwise

14-4-2014 | IslamWeb

Question:

I am a student studying in Uk. I suffer from OCD but my condition has intensified and my suffering increased ever since I arrived here because I suspect the cleanness (tahara) of the saliva of non-Muslims. The problem is that when I buy anything, the cashier wets his/her finger with their saliva to open the plastic bag, which makes me suspect the cleanness of the bag and the things I purchase because I suspect the cleanness of Non-Muslims mouths because they eat pork and non-halal stuff. I thought that their saliva might be clean for they might have drunk water or they might be vegetarians, but the fact that I am not sure makes me suspect the cleanness of their mouths and saliva. My question is: should I consider the mouth and saliva of a non-muslim clean (taher)? and does the saliva of an nun-muslim make things it touches like the containing plastic bags and the purchased stuff (food- shoes, clothes, bags, electronics) unclean (nages) Thank you for your help.

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His Slave and Messenger.

The bodies, perspiration, and saliva of non-Muslims are ritually pure and they cannot be considered ritually impure except in case there is certain evidence proving their impurity. In cases of suspicion, then the original legal status of being pure takes effect. Hence, you should not pay attention to such suspicions and you should totally ignore them. One should not consider the saliva of non-Muslims or whatever has been soiled with it to be ritually impure based on suspicion alone.

Allaah Knows best.