Air Akuarium Najis atau Tidak? What the Mufti Says, for Muslim Fishkeepers in Malaysia
Air akuarium najis atau tidak? It's one of the most common questions Muslim fishkeepers in Malaysia ask, usually after water splashes onto the floor or clothes during a water change. We are an aquarium marketplace, not a religious authority, so we don't give rulings. This page summarises what the Pejabat Mufti Wilayah Persekutuan (Mufti WP) has published in its Al-Kafi li al-Fatawi series, links you to the source, and adds practical hygiene tips for cleaning a tank at home. For a ruling on your own situation, please refer to the original article or ask your state mufti office.
Summary: What Mufti WP's Al-Kafi #801 Says
Mufti WP addressed this question in Al-Kafi #801: "Is aquarium water considered as najis?" (muftiwp.gov.my). The question came from a hobbyist who asked whether water splashed onto the floor while cleaning an aquarium is najis, since it contains fish waste, and how to clean it.
In summary, as we understand the article:
| Point | What the article explains |
|---|---|
| Keeping fish | Keeping pets is permissible, with responsibilities such as giving them proper food and shelter |
| Fish waste | It cites the Shafi'i position (with reference to Imam al-Nawawi's al-Majmu') that animal excrement, including that of fish, is najis |
| Small aquarium water | If the aquarium holds less than two qullah and is mixed with excrement, water splashed from it is treated as najis and must be cleaned |
| How to clean | Cleanse until the smell, colour and taste/texture of the najis are gone |
| Invisible amounts | Najis too small to see with the naked eye, and tiny splashes where no najis is visible, are ma'fu (forgiven) |
This is a simplified summary. Please read the full Al-Kafi #801 on the Mufti WP website for the exact wording, evidence and conditions.
What is "two qullah"?
Qullah is a classical measure of water volume. In a separate article (Irsyad al-Fatwa Series 338), Mufti WP explains that two qullah is roughly equivalent to 200 kg of water, or about 200 litres. For reference, a typical Malaysian 2 kaki tank holds about 55–65 L, and a 3 kaki tank about 155–180 L. Most home aquariums are therefore below two qullah. See our tank size guide for volumes. How the two-qullah principle applies to your tank is a question for the religious authorities, not for us.
Air Akuarium Najis atau Tidak: Common Related Questions
Is it allowed to keep fish at home in Islam?
The Al-Kafi article notes that keeping pets is permissible, as long as the owner fulfils their responsibilities to the animal. For anything beyond that, such as decorations or particular species, ask your local mufti office.
What about splashes on clothes or the prayer area?
According to the summary above, visible splashes from small-tank water are to be cleaned, while invisible or tiny ones are forgiven. Many fishkeepers simply avoid the problem by doing water changes away from the prayer area and changing clothes afterwards if they get soaked. Again, refer to the source or your mufti for specific cases.
Does this differ between madhhab?
Yes. Other schools of thought can take different positions on fish waste. Malaysia follows the Shafi'i school for official fatwa, so Malaysian authorities' answers are the most relevant reference here.
Practical Hygiene Tips for Cleaning Your Tank
These are general housekeeping tips, not religious rulings. They help keep splashes to a minimum whatever your view.
Before you start
- Lay down a towel or rubber mat under the tank and buckets.
- Wear old clothes or an apron that you use only for tank work.
- Use dedicated buckets that are never used for food or household cleaning.
- Pick the right spot: do water changes away from the prayer area and the kitchen.
During the water change
- Use a siphon hose (gravel cleaner) instead of scooping with a jug. A siphon is faster and splashes far less.
- Don't overfill buckets. Two half-full buckets are easier to carry than one full one.
- Drain into a toilet or floor trap, not the kitchen sink.
- Rinse filter sponges in a bucket of old tank water, never under the tap, because chlorine kills beneficial bacteria.
After the water change
- Wipe up any spills with a damp cloth, then rinse the area with clean water.
- Wash your hands and arms with soap.
- Dry and store your tools separately.
- Refill with dechlorinated water. Malaysian tap water is chlorinated, so treat every top-up with anti klorin. Our tap water guide explains why.
Making Water Changes Easier (and Less Messy)
| Tool | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Siphon / gravel cleaner | Less scooping, fewer splashes |
| Long hose to a floor trap | No buckets to carry |
| Water conditioner (anti klorin) | Treat new water before it goes in |
| Tank lid | Reduces evaporation and splashing from fish |
| Smaller, more frequent changes | 20–30% weekly is less work than a big monthly clean |
Clean water also keeps fish healthy. If fish keep dying, our guide on why aquarium fish die covers the usual causes, and cloudy water fixes help with murky tanks. You can find treatment and water conditioner products and aquarium tank sets from Malaysian sellers on FishyHub, as well as freshwater fish.
Where to Get an Authoritative Answer
- Pejabat Mufti Wilayah Persekutuan: read Al-Kafi #801 and Irsyad al-Fatwa Series 338 on muftiwp.gov.my.
- Your state mufti department (Jabatan Mufti Negeri): for rulings specific to your state and circumstances.
- JAKIM's e-SMAF portal for published fatwa from the National Fatwa Council and states.
Rulings are explained in full context by these authorities, and the information above should not replace them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Air akuarium najis atau tidak? Menurut Al-Kafi #801 oleh Pejabat Mufti Wilayah Persekutuan, air akuarium yang kurang dari dua kolah dan bercampur najis ikan dianggap najis jika terpercik, dan perlu dibersihkan. Najis yang tidak dapat dilihat dengan mata kasar dimaafkan. Rujuk artikel asal atau pejabat mufti negeri untuk penjelasan lanjut.
Boleh ke bela ikan hiasan dalam rumah menurut Islam? Artikel Mufti WP menyatakan memelihara haiwan peliharaan adalah harus, dengan syarat pemilik menjaga kebajikannya seperti memberi makanan dan tempat tinggal yang sesuai.
How many litres is two qullah? Mufti WP's Irsyad al-Fatwa Series 338 describes it as roughly 200 kg, or about 200 litres, of water.
How can I avoid splashes during a water change? Use a siphon hose, lay a mat under the tank, don't overfill buckets, and drain into a floor trap or toilet rather than the kitchen sink.
Does FishyHub give religious advice? No. We only summarise published sources. Please refer to Mufti WP or your state mufti department for rulings.
Keep your tank clean and your fish healthy. Browse freshwater fish and water treatments from sellers across Malaysia on FishyHub.