Sertu Cleaning in Singapore – A Research-Based Guide for Muslim Home Buyers
- Islamic Disposal Services
- Jan 8
- 4 min read
Buying a home is one of the biggest milestones in life. However, for Muslim home buyers in Singapore, purchasing a property previously owned by a non-Muslim who kept a dog raises serious religious concerns.
Questions such as:
Is my new house najis?
Do I need to do sertu cleaning?
What if the house was renovated?
Am I just being was-was?
This article is written as a study-style, evidence-based guide to help Muslims understand, decide, and act correctly regarding sertu cleaning, based on authentic hadith, scholarly opinions, and real-world scenarios.
What Is Sertu Cleaning According to Islam?
Definition of Sertu (Islamic Purification)
Sertu refers to the Islamic method of cleansing najis mughallazah (major impurity)—specifically impurity related to dogs and pigs.
In the context of housing, sertu rumah is done to remove dog-related impurities that may have come into contact with floors, walls, fixtures, or surfaces.
Evidence from Sahih Hadith
The basis of sertu comes from an authentic (sahih) hadith:
“If a dog licks the vessel of one of you, let him wash it seven times, one of them with earth.”— Sahih Muslim (279)
This hadith establishes:
Dog impurity is unique
Requires seven washes
One wash must be with earth or soil-based material
Scholarly Reference (IslamQA)
IslamQA explains that najis mughallazah requires specific purification, and ordinary cleaning is not sufficient when dog saliva or wet contact is involved.
This ruling is widely accepted by scholars of the Shafi‘i madhhab, which is commonly followed in Singapore and Southeast Asia.
Who Actually Needs Sertu Cleaning? (Targeted to Home Buyers)
You may need sertu rumah if:
You bought a house from a non-Muslim dog owner
The dog was allowed indoors
The dog had wet contact (saliva, urine, wet fur)
You are unsure where the dog accessed inside the house
This situation is extremely common among resale HDB flats, condos, and landed homes in Singapore.
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Sertu Rumah vs Semah Rumah vs Samak Rumah vs Ruqyah Rumah vs Pagar Rumah
This section addresses major confusion caused by misinformation online.
Sertu Rumah
Purpose: To remove dog-related najis mughallazah using Islamic purification.
Status in Islam:
✔ Sunnah-based
✔ Supported by sahih hadith
✔ Required when dog impurity is present
Semah Rumah
Meaning (Dictionary-based): “Semah” refers to feeding or appeasing jinn/spirits.
Islamic ruling:
❌ Not Islamic
❌ No basis in Quran or Sunnah
❌ Considered haram or shirk-related practices
Samak Rumah
Meaning: Samak refers to tanning animal hides, not cleaning houses.
Many people confuse samak with sertu.
For a scholarly explanation, refer to:https://muftiwp.gov.my/en/artikel/al-kafi-li-al-fatawi/3545-al-kafi-1316-the-difference-between-sertu-and-samak
Ruqyah Rumah
Purpose: Spiritual protection through Quranic recitation and du‘a.
✔ Islamic
✔ Not a replacement for sertu
✔ Addresses spiritual, not physical impurity
🔗 Ruqyah services by Al-Falah Fil Quran:https://www.myquranpro.com/ruqyah-pagar-rumah
Pagar Rumah
Purpose: Supplication-based spiritual “protection” of property.
✔ Permissible if Quran-based
❌ Not a physical cleansing method
❌ Does NOT remove najis
🔗 Quran-based services:https://www.myquranpro.com
Do I Need to Sertu If My House Is Fully Renovated?
Short Answer: No, If Everything Is Brand New
If:
Flooring, walls, cabinets, toilets are completely replaced
All surfaces are new and unused
No old fixtures remain
Then sertu is NOT required, as the original najis no longer exists.
However, post-renovation cleaning is still essential.
🔗 Post-Renovation Cleaning Service:https://www.islamicdisposalservices.com
What If the Previous Owner Didn’t Have a Dog, But I Feel Was-Was?
Understanding Was-Was in Islam
Was-was refers to excessive doubt without evidence.
Islam teaches:
Certainty is not removed by doubt.
If:
No dog lived in the house
No evidence of najis
Only suspicion exists
❌ Sertu is not required
Doing sertu unnecessarily can strengthen was-was, not solve it.
Can I Perform Sertu Cleaning Myself?
DIY Sertu – Is It Allowed?
Yes, you may perform sertu yourself, provided:
1 wash with soil (or clay-based material)
6 washes with clean water
Correct intention (niyyah)
Entire affected area is covered
Common DIY Mistakes
Wrong soil composition
Incomplete coverage
Incorrect sequence
Missing areas
If unsure, professional help is recommended.
🔗 Professional Sertu Cleaning:https://www.islamicdisposalservices.com
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need to sertu if a dog lived in the house years ago?
Yes, if the dog had wet contact and surfaces remain unchanged.
Is dry dog hair najis?
No. Najis applies when there is wet contact.
Do Hanafi Muslims need to sertu?
Hanafi rulings differ, but many still choose sertu for peace of mind.
Can modern cleaning chemicals replace soil?
Scholars differ, but traditional soil-based washing is safest.
Should I sertu walls and ceilings?
Only areas with possible dog contact.
Is sertu required after renovation?
No, if all affected materials are replaced.
Is sertu the same as ruqyah?
No. Sertu is physical purification; ruqyah is spiritual.
How long does professional sertu take?
Usually a few hours, depending on property size.
Can I live in the house before sertu?
Yes, but purification should be done before prayers.
Where can I book sertu cleaning in Singapore?
Final Thoughts – Knowledge Before Action
Sertu cleaning is not about fear, superstition, or rituals. It is about knowledge, evidence, and correct application of Islamic law.
If you need clarity, help, or professional support, trusted services exist.
🔗 Book Sertu Cleaning in Singapore:https://www.islamicdisposalservices.com
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