The contact of something impure doesn’t necessarily make the object or thing impure also, especially if there is no basis for contamination.
Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan, may Allah preserve him, said:
” إذا لمس الإنسان نجاسة رطبة ؛ فإنه يغسل ما لمسها به من جسمه ؛ لانتقال النجاسة إليه ، أما النجاسة اليابسة ؛ فإنه لا يغسل ما لمسها به ؛ لعدم انتقالها إليه”
“If a person were to touch an impurity which is wet, then he should wash what has touched his body from it due to the contamination found therein. As for if the impurity is dry, then he should not wash what has touched his body from it since there is no reason for contamination. ”
[al-Muntaqa of Fataawa al-Fawzaan (48/18)]
Ash-Shaykh Bin Baaz, rahimahullah, said:
إن كان الكلب يابساً واليد يابسة فلا شيء، ليس على من لمسه شيء أما إن كان الكلب رطباً أو اليد رطبة فليغسلها سبع مرات بالماء
“If the dog is not wet and the hand of the person is dry, then there is nothing required for the one who touched it. As for if the dog is wet or the hand of the person is wet, then let him wash it seven times with water… ”
Therefore, if a person knows with certainty that the gloves of the person who prepared his food are wet or oily, or the fact that the person didn’t wipe and dry the cutting board before assembling other food groups upon it, then it isn’t advised for a person to eat from such a place.
A Side Note: The scholars make a condition that the person is certain in his judgement since he shouldn’t act upon claims based upon conjectures, assumptions and mere suspicion. And Allah knows best.
Translated and Answered by
AbdulFattaah Bin Uthman
Abu Fajr
