as a warning of it. Moreover, it is a solid substance, and one has been commanded to use it to remove impurity, so it is treated analogously to it, like the stone in cleaning oneself after defecation (istijmar).

As for the eighth washing, the correct view is that it does not take the place of earth, because if the intent was the strengthening of the water in removal [of impurity], that is not achieved by the eighth washing, for combining both [earth and water] is more effective in removal. If it is mandatory as an act of worship, it is forbidden to substitute it or apply analogy to it.

Some of our companions said: It is only permitted to turn to [substitutes] other than earth when it is unavailable, or when the washed area would be damaged by it; however, if it is available and causes no harm (8), then it is not permitted. This is the view of Ibn Hamid (9).

Second Category: Impurity other than that of a dog or swine. Regarding this, there are two narrations:

The first: A specific number of washings is mandatory, by analogy to the impurity of lapping (wulugh). It has been narrated from Ibn 'Umar that he said: "We were commanded to wash impurities seven times," which refers to the command of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

The second: A specific number is not mandatory; rather, drenching it with water without counting is sufficient, such that the physical manifestation of the impurity is removed. This is the view of al-Shafi'i, based on what was narrated from Ibn 'Umar, who said: "The prayer was fifty [prayers], and the bath for janabah (major ritual impurity) was seven times, and the washing from urine was seven times. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) kept asking until the prayer was made five, and the washing from urine [was set at] once, and the bath for janabah [was set at] once." Narrated by Imam Ahmad in his Musnad (10) and Abu Dawud in his Sunan (11). This is a clear text (nass), except that among its narrators is Ayyub ibn Jabir, who is weak. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said: "If menstrual blood gets on any of you, let her scrape it, then splash it with water, then pray in it." Narrated by al-Bukhari (12), and he did not command a specific number. In another hadith, a woman...