The place of prayer is holy or not, what to do if in doubt?

Salat or prayer is the most important act of Islam after faith. Through this, the special relationship between the servant and his Lord is strengthened. Therefore, it is essential that the body, clothes and place of the worshiper are pure and holy during prayer. Purity is a prerequisite for prayer.

Almighty Allah says, “And keep my house pure and clean for those who perform Tawaf, Ruku-Sijd and those who pray standing.” (Surah: Hajj, verse: 26)
There are many evidences regarding the command to sanctify the place of prayer. Various aspects of sanctifying the place of prayer are discussed below:

The land becomes holy whether it is dry or rained on

After getting dirt on the ground and roof etc., it will become ripe after it is dried in the sun or air and the traces of dirt are removed. Narrated by Ayesha (RA), Imam Muhammad Ibnul Hanafia (RA), Imam Muhammad (RA) and others, “The sanctity of the land is its drying up.” (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shayba, Hadith: 624, Fathul Qadir 1/199)
Similarly, even if the traces of impurity are removed due to the purchase of impure land, the land will be considered as impurity. There is a hadith in Sharif that a Bedouin urinated in the mosque out of ignorance, so Rasulullah (s.a.w.) asked the place to be dug up. (See: Musannaf Abdur Razzaq, Hadith: 1659)

Similarly impure land will become ripe even if the traces of impurity are removed by rain. Yes, the land will not be ripe if there is any trace of impurity left at all times.

(Fatawa Qazikhan 1/23, Addurrul Mukhtar 1/311)
If the ground becomes wet due to walking on dry ground with impure shoes soaked in urine, then the land will become impure, otherwise it will not be impure. (Raddul Muhtar 6/733)

A paved floor becomes holy by wiping it with a wet cloth

If a child urinates on a paved or tiled floor, it is permissible to pray on it if the urine marks and odor are removed by wiping the area with a wet cloth. It is not necessary to wash with water. (Addurrul Mukhtar 1/311, Fatawa Mahmudiya 5/284)
After the impure floor is dried and cured, if water falls on it, it will not become impure again, but it will be treated as cured. Likewise, even if one walks on it with wet feet after azure, the feet will not become impure.

(Halbi Kabir, page 154, Albahrur Rayeq: 1/394)
Praying in a place coated with dung

If the soil is mixed with dung and the land is covered with dung, in such a situation, when the land dries and the traces and stench of the dung are removed, it will become ripe, so prayers can be offered on it. (Fatawae Hindiyya 1/62, Kasamiyyah 5/577)

Praying on a bed in an unclean place

If the bed is so thick that it cannot be seen from side to side and the effect of impurity is not visible on the bed while praying on a bed that is impure, then the prayer will be purified. And if it is too thin, due to which impurity is felt, then the prayer will not be pure. (Raddul Muhtar 2/74, Kasamiyyah 5/578)

Praying on the roof of septic tanks, dirty drains etc

Prayers on the roofs of septic tanks, unclean drains etc. will be purified. Because the roof or its surface is paved, although there is an impurity under it. Some mosques have toilets etc. on the ground floor or on one side. If there is a prayer facility on the upper floor of them, there is no problem in praying. (Raddul Muhtar 2/74)

What to do if you don’t know the cleanliness of a place

If the impurity of a place is not known, the land will be considered holy if no sign of impurity is evident. Undoubtedly no land can be called impure. Narrated by Jaber (R.A.), Rasulullah (S.A.W.) said, “The whole land has been made a place of prayer and purification for me.” So my Ummah will pray wherever there is time for prayer. (Bukhari, Hadith: 335)

Similarly, if there is no sign of impurity on new and old bed-mats etc. then namaaz can be offered on them. There is no need for undue doubt. (Azizul Fatawa, page 193)

Provision of road mud and water

A place cannot be called impure merely by suspicion. It will be treated as Pak until the impurity is confirmed. If no signs of impurity are observed in the water and mud of the streets, it will not be impure, and splashing of the said water on the body or clothes will not be impurity. However, if there is a sign, color or smell of impurity, it will be called impurity. (Raddul Muhtar 1/324)

How to purify a coarse carpet if it is impure

If any part of the carpet gets impure, only that part will be impure, not the whole carpet will be impure. So to cook, pour water on that part and leave it in such a way that the water drains completely. If you do this three times, the carpet will become twisted. Yes, if the water is poured even once in such a way that the washerman has a strong idea of the removal of that impurity, then he will be purified even by washing well once. And if there is a dark impurity such as toilet etc., it will become ripe after removing the traces and stench of that impurity. (Raddul Muhtar 1/310)

If it is impossible to identify the spot due to dripping and drying of urine in various places on the carpet, it is assumed that washing the suspected areas of the carpet will stain the entire carpet. However, if possible, it is better to wash the entire carpet and drain the water. (Raddul Muhtar 1/328, Ahsanul Fatawa 2/92)