In Islamic law, najis (Arabic: äÌÓý)
are things or persons regarded as ritually unclean.[1] Contact
with najis things brings a Muslim into a state of ritual impurity
(najasat), which requires undergoing purification before
performing religious duties, such as regular prayers.
The concept is of particular importance to Shi'a Islam, where the
belief in the uncleanness of non-Muslims brought restrictions and
persecutions to the non-Muslim population of Persia. In Persia,
Shi'a Muslims sought to limit contact with non-Muslims by
requiring them to settle in separate parts of the city, banning
them from public baths, or demanding them not to go out in rain
or snow. |
