required to wash whatever has touched his clothes, bedding and furs? These are tied to those reins. The animals’ equipment is not free of impurities, and sometimes the reins are wet with urine or other moisture. He holds them in his hand and then touches his clothes with that hand, which may be sweaty in summer. Is all of this overlooked? If it is overlooked while travelling, is it also overlooked when he is at home, or must the things mentioned be washed? Many people do not wash them, and only a few take care to do so. Did the Companions wash such things, or did they overlook them? Would washing them be contrary to the Sunnah? The aim is to follow the Companions and their practice.
What about a man who, when a butcher with some grease on him touches his clothing or hand, washes whatever the butcher has touched? Is he right to do this, or is this obsessive misgiving?
Likewise, what about a man beside whom a butcher prays in the mosque, who says, “The place where this butcher is praying is not pure, because butchers do not take precautions against impurity on their bodies and clothes”? If a butcher shakes his hand, he washes it. Similarly, if an itinerant meat seller touches him, he washes whatever the seller has touched. Is he mistaken? What is the ruling on this, and what was the practice of the Companions?
What about a man who eats strips of meat, when those who prepare them customarily do not wash the meat? Is eating them forbidden or disliked, because butchers slaughter with a knife