Washing soiled items
Wash every soiled thing that changes the color, taste or smell of water[edit]
"Wash ye every soiled thing with water that hath undergone no alteration in any one of the three respects; take heed not to use water that hath been altered through exposure to the air or to some other agent. Be ye the very essence of cleanliness amongst mankind. This, truly, is what your Lord, the Incomparable, the All-Wise, desireth for you."
- (Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, par. 74)
"The "three respects" referred to in this verse are changes in the colour, taste or smell of the water. Bahá'u'lláh provides additional guidance concerning pure water and the point at which it is considered unsuitable for use (Q and A 91)."
- (Notes to the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, no. 105)
One to wash what is soiled with dust, let alone hardened direct and similar defilement[edit]
"God hath enjoined upon you to observe the utmost cleanliness, to the extent of washing what is soiled with dust, let alone with hardened dirt and similar defilement. Fear Him, and be of those who are pure."
- (Bahá'u'lláh, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, par. 76)
Water up to even 3 cups are used after a single washing of face and hands; 1/2 m3 water unchanged after 1 or 2 washings of the face (unless altered in color, taste, or smell)[edit]
"QUESTION: Concerning pure water, and the point at which it is considered used.
"ANSWER: Small quantities of water, such as one cupful, or even two or three, must be considered used after a single washing of the face and hands. But a kurr+F1 or more of water remaineth unchanged after one or two washings of the face, and there is no objection to its use unless it is altered in one of the three ways,+F2 for example its colour is changed, in which case it should be looked upon as used."
- +F1 This refers to a volume of approximately one half of a cubic metre
- +F2 Colour, taste and smell
- (Bahá'u'lláh, Questions and Answers to the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, par. 91)
Note: It is presumably to the discretion of the believer for amounts in between 3 cups and 1/2 m3
