How do we answer regarding the narrations reported from the Companions which outwardly indicate the purity of blood, such as the prayer of the Companions Umar and Ibn Mas'ud despite bleeding, and the saying of Al-Hasan Al-Basri: "Muslims have always prayed in their wounds," and does all of that indicate the purity of blood?

Scholars differ on the impurity of blood, and the majority opinion is that effused blood (flowing blood) is impure, based on the Quran, Sunnah, and consensus.

Evidence for the Impurity of Blood:

1. Quran: Allah Almighty says: (Say, "I find not within that which was revealed to me [anything] forbidden to one who eats it except that it be a dead animal or blood poured forth or the flesh of swine — for indeed, it is an abomination — or what is defiantly sinful [slaughtered other than by Allah's name]"). The word "abomination" (رجس - rijs) means impure, and the pronoun refers to all the mentioned items.

2. Sunnah: The Prophet (peace be upon him) commanded washing menstrual and irregular bleeding, and all bloods are of the same type. The hadith of Fatima bint Abi Hubaysh: "Wash off the blood from yourself"; this indicates the general impurity of blood.

3. Consensus: Many scholars have transmitted the consensus of the Ummah on the impurity of effused blood, including Imam Ahmad, Ibn Abd al-Barr, Ibn Hazm, Ibn al-Arabi, al-Qurtubi, al-Nawawi, al-Qarafi, Ibn Hajar, al-Ayni, al-Zarkashi, al-Shinqiti, and Ibn Uthaymin.

Rebuttal to the Arguments of Those Who Consider Blood Pure:

Story of the Wounded Companion: This hadith is weak due to the unknown status of its narrator. Even if it were authentic, it represents a case of necessity (continuous bleeding that cannot be stopped) for which the worshipper is excused, and it does not imply the purity of blood. Aathar of Ibn Mas'ud: This is weak due to the possibility that Yahya al-Jazzar did not hear directly from Ibn Mas'ud. Even if it were authentic, it would be interpreted as referring to a small amount of blood that is overlooked, or that the purity of the garment was not a condition for the validity of prayer according to him. Aathar of the Companions: These are interpreted as referring to a small amount of blood that is overlooked, or to cases of necessity where it is impossible to avoid it.

Exception:

Martyr's Blood: It is pure as long as it is on his body, based on the hadith: "Wrap them in their blood." However, if the blood separates from him, it becomes impure.