Purification of Water

[FatimaAsSideqah]

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Book: Purification

Chapter 1 - Water

The Shaykh حفظه الله said:

• The author (ash-Shawkaani) رحيمه الله begins with the Book of Purification, the chapter of Water.

Water is pure and purifies.

• Water is pure as Allaah سبحانه و تعالى says in the Qur’aan:

{He caused water (rain) to descend on you from the sky, to clean you thereby [Al-Anfaal 8:11]}

• This water comes from the sky and Allaah سبحانه و تعالى has preserved it in the earth, so it is pure. Likewise, water found on the earth’s surface is also pure once it doesn’t mix with a matter from najasah (impurity) such that it changes its innate characteristics – This is according to the ijma’a of the people of knowledge.

• Also, it purifies i.e. it can be used for purification e.g. washing of the dead body, wudu, ghusl from major impurity and other similar acts of purification from the Deen.

• Nothing takes it from its natural pure state except mixing it with an impurity that changes its smell, taste or colour.

Introduction of impurities that changes its state

• The author continues… When an impurity is introduced such that the smell, taste or colour is changed then the water becomes impure and it is not permissible to use this water for purification. The consensus of the scholars is that this water is impure.

• If it is mixed with something which is not impure e.g. colouring, food or juice such that its colour changes to the colour or food or drink, then water is still pure but can it be used for purification? This has some details to it.

Introduction of a pure substance that changes its state

• If mixed with pure substances e.g. substance made from roses, or sugar then it is not pure water anymore and takes name of thing it is mixed with e.g. Rose-water or sugar-water. However, the water itself is not impure, but it cannot be used for purification. This is what has been established by more than one from the ‘Ulema رحيمهم الله and this is what is correct.

• If water loses one of its characteristics it is permissible to be used for tayammum.

• If the water was a small quantity and was mixed in a pot or container with a pure stuff e.g. placed in container used to mix dough, which was washed but a small bit of the dough remained and the water was then added – this water can be used to make wudu, provided that the bit of dough did not cause a change in colour, smell or taste of the water. If there was a change in one of these qualities then the water cannot be used for purification.

There is no difference between small or large quantity of water when impurity is added

• There is no difference between the quantity of water when mixed with an impurity. If it is a little or a large quantity of water it becomes impure once mixed with an impurity that changes the taste, smell or colour. If there is no change to these qualities then the water remains pure.

• The criterion is based on the changing of one of the qualities. As long as the impurity mixes and changes one of the three characteristics then the water becomes impure whether in small or large quantity. If the characteristics are not changed then the water remains pure.

Difference amongst People of Knowledge concerning this (Qty of water)
• People of knowledge differ concerning the quantity of water when an impurity is added.

• The closest to this is what occurs in the hadith of the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم: “If there is enough water to fill two Qullah (large earthen pots that carry about 100kg of water), it can carry no impurity”. The Shaykh حفظه الله says that he understands this hadith - if the water is less than this and an impurity is entered into it, it becomes impure even though none of the three characteristics are changed. However, this hadith is not to be used as a proof for this, as the People of knowledge have differed concerning this.

• Imaam Shafi’ee رحيمه الله said that the Qullatyn – two earthen pots are like five pellets (the skin of a dead animal after it was tanned) which the people used to use. If it (words unclear) the two earthen pots then they considered that it was not impure, and what may be understood is that which is less than that becomes impure – this statement is weak. What is correct is that the water is pure once nothing changes any of the three characteristics. This is the most correct statement of the ‘Ulema and the muhaqqiqeen, and it is also the statement of ibn Abbas رضى الله عنهما.

• The issue is whether the impurity changes at least one of the characteristics, there is no difference regarding the quantity – whether small or large. For example, water placed in a small pot such as a teapot which has some urine mixed with it such that it does not change any of the characteristics then it is still pure and can be used for purification.

• Shaykh-ul-Islaam Ibn Taimiyyah رحيمه الله said in his book Al-Masaail al-Maaridiniyyah the like of this. He chose this opinion and gave the example of rain water that falls upon the earth and which may mix with the faeces of humans or animals and then runs and mixes with the earth – this water is still pure and can be used to make wudu or take a bath. Therefore the point to note is that there are differences amongst the People of Knowledge on this issue of the quantity, but in reality the issue is not whether the water is in a small or large amount but whether the impurity changes the taste, smell or colour of the water thus rendering it impure.

There is no difference whether the water is flowing or stagnant

• The author رحيمه الله then mentions that there is no difference whether the water is flowing or stagnant – the ruling is the same.

• Some People of Knowledge may use the hadith as proof where the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم said: "None of you should take a bath in stagnant water after he urinates in it.” Some of the people say this means that stagnant water becomes impure. Actually the water is still pure once none of the three characteristics have changed by the introduction of the impurity. This is whether the water was stagnant or flowing.

There is no difference whether the water is used or unused

• Likewise Shawkaani رحيمه الله said like there is no difference if the water is a small or large quantity unless a characteristic has changed – the same principle applies for water that is used or unused. There is no difference between water that is used or unused unless a characteristic has been changed.

• For example, if water was used for taking a bath and one or more of the characteristic has changed then the water is impure and cannot be used for purification, if it is unchanged then the water is pure and can be used for purification.

Difference amongst People of Knowledge concerning this (whether used/unused)

• The ‘Ulema have differed over this. What is correct is what has been established by the imaam رحيمه الله in his book.

• For example, when the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم used to make wudu the companions used to compete and almost fight one another for the drops of water that came from the lips of the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم when he made wudu. They used it as a blessing to wash themselves with it or their hands, or rub their faces with it seeking Allaah’s Blessings.

• There are some points to be noted:

1. If the water was impure he صلى الله عليه و سلم would have drew their attention to it and mentioned it to them.

2. Some say the water was still pure because it was the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم – to those people we say what is your daleel for this?

3. If the water became impure by being used, then the clothes etc. that it touches would become impure as well.

4. The Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم said to the one affected by the evil eye that the one who cast the evil eye (if he is known) should make wudu and then give it to the afflicted person who would make ghusl with it. Therefore that water is not impure. And the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم said “Indeed Allaah سبحانه و تعالى did not make any cure for my Ummah from that which is impure or that which is haraam and not permissible”.


• Therefore as ash-Shawkaani رحيمه الله mentioned in his book, the water that is used remains in its natural pure state once an impurity that mixes with it does not change at least one of its three characteristics – smell, taste or colour.

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