hagalah

Hagalah is a term used in Islamic jurisprudence to describe the ritual purification of utensils and vessels that have become ritually impure (najis) or have been used to hold impure or non-halal substances. The word is commonly found in South Asian and Southeast Asian Muslim communities, where hagalah refers to a practical cleansing procedure rather than a single standardized rite.

The central idea of hagalah is to restore cleanliness so that an item can be used again for halal purposes. Procedures vary by school of thought and local custom. In many traditions, the core action is washing the item with clean water, sometimes with multiple washings. Some communities incorporate additional steps such as immersion in water, rubbing the surface, or using earth or soil in a particular washing step. The exact method can depend on the material of the vessel (metal, ceramic, glass) and the type of impurity involved.

Hagalah is part of the broader concept of taharah, or purification, within Islamic law. It is distinct from other purification practices such as wudu (partial ritual ablution) and ghusl (full-body ablution). The acceptance and specifics of hagalah can differ among juridical schools (for example, Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi‘i, and Hanbali) and may be influenced by regional customs and contemporary guidance.

In practice, hagalah serves to maintain cleanliness and permit the continued use of utensils in accordance with halal dietary rules. See also taharah, najis, and halal.