'Stepping on lizard droppings does not invalidate prayer'

SHAH ALAM - Former Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Seri Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri has clarified that coming into contact with or stepping on lizard droppings or other impurities does not invalidate ablution (wudhu).

He explained that the ablution of a person who comes into contact with such impurities is still valid and they do not need to repeat it. However, if they intend to perform prayers, they must ensure that the clothing or place that comes into contact with impurities is cleaned before performing the prayer.

"The ablution of a person who comes into contact with these type of impurities is still valid and they do not need to repeat it.

"However, if they intend to perform prayers, they must ensure that the clothing or place that comes into contact with impurities is cleaned before performing the prayer," Zulkifli said recently said in a clarification given at Maktabah Al-Bakri.

The clarification also comes in the wake of a controversial statement by Barisan Nasional (BN) communication chief coordinator Mohd Shafiq Fhadly Mahmud, who recently likened the Pas President Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang to a "political lizard."

Shafiq's statement was based on the fact that lizards often reside in mosques, and when their droppings are stepped on, it invalidates ablution.

Zulkifli, who is also a former Federal Territories mufti, said that generally, lizard droppings fall into the category of "najis mutawassitah" (medium-level impurity) because according to the Shafie school of thought, faeces, impurities, and urine from animals are considered impure.

He added that due to lizard droppings falling into the category of najis mutawassitah, the method of cleaning them involves first removing the physical impurity and then washing with water until the odour, colour, and taste disappear.

"In the context of a prayer area, such as a surau or mosque, lizard droppings should be avoided, but if they are stepped on, they should be immediately removed because they may spoil the prayer.

"However, if lizard droppings are difficult to avoid because they are too numerous, they do not invalidate the prayer because impurities are forgiven and fall under the category of 'Umum al-Balwa (according to Islamic juristic terminology, this means anunfavourable widespread situation affecting most people and is difficult to avoid) ," he added.