THE RULING REGARDING SMOKE OR STEAM RISING FROM ANY IMPURE THING THAT GETS ON THE CLOTH OR THE BODY

If the steam or smoke rising from any impure thing gets on the clothes or the body, and the body or the clothes become damp due to it, but the signs of impurity on the body or clothes is not visible, then in such a case, the clothes or the body are not impure due to its contact. Therefore it is excused. However, if the smoke or steam gets on the clothes or the body, from which the clothing or the body has become wet, and the signs of impurity, i.e. its color, smell or taste, becomes visible on the clothing, then there will be a ruling of impurity.

It is mentioned in Fataawa Shaami:

Translation: The dust of the road and pathways, the vapour of impure things, and the particles of dung are excused. (Fataawa Shaami Volume 1 page 723-724 / Chapter of purification / Zia-ulQuran Publications Lahore)

Hazrat Allama Ibn e Aabedeen Shaami Alaihir Rahma writes:

Translation: And being excused is based on the condition that the signs of impurity are not visible on it. (Fataawa Shaami Volume 1 page 723 / Chapter of purification / Zia-ul-Quran Publications Lahore)

The signs of impurity refers to its colour, smell or taste. As mentioned in Al Hidaayah:

Translation: And the effect of impurity refers to its smell, taste or colour. (Al-Hidayah Sharh Bidayat Al-Mubtadi Volume 1 page 19/ Darul Kutbul Ilmiyyah Beirut)

It is in Fataawa Hindiyah:

Translation: The vapour of impurity does not make the clothes impure, and this is the correct verdict, just as it appears in Zahiriyah. If the smoke of impurity touches the clothes or the body, then it is correct to say that it is not impure, as has been mentioned in SirajulWahhaj. (Fataawa Hindiyah Volume 1 page 52 / Chapter of purification / Darul Kutbul Ilmiyyah Beirut)

Bahaar e Shariat also states: If the smoke from some impure thing comes onto the body or clothing, it will not make it impure. The same applies to the steam that comes out when burning something which is impure. It will not make the body or clothing impure even if it causes the entire clothing

to become wet. However if the signs of impurity become visible on it then it will be regarded as being impure. (Bahaar e Shariat Volume 2 page 202 / Imam Mustafa Raza Research Centre Overport Durban).