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The Purification of Water

Al-ʿAllāmah Muḥammad ibn Ṣāliḥ al-ʿUthaymīn

A discussion on what constitutes pure water as well as how water becomes najs.

Al-ʿAllāmah Muḥammad ibn Ṣāliḥ al-ʿUthaymīn [d. 1421 AH] said:

“If water that was najs is purified, irrespective of how, that water will be considered ṭahūr [amenable for ablution]. This is because any ruling that is confirmed in accordance with a reason will cease to exist if that reason ceases. There is no difference [in this matter] between large or small volumes of water. [For in both cases], the reason [for the ruling] is one. Thus, whenever najs is removed [from the water], it will be ṭahūr. This is also easier to learn and understand.

Know that [according to the Ḥanbalī madh`hab] this ruling only applies to water and not any other liquid. Other liquids [according to the madh`hab] will be considered impure by simple contact [with something that is najs], even if it is a large volume. Such that if a person had a large vessel of fat into which a single dog hair fell, all the contents of the vessel would be considered najs. It would be impermissible to sell, buy, eat, or drink from it [according to the madh`hab]. The correct opinion is that other liquids are like water in that they are not considered najs unless completely changed [in taste, colour or smell by something that is najs].”1

Endnotes:

1. Al-Sharḥ al-Mumti: 58

Translated by: Riyāḍ al-Kanadī

Published: December 26, 2022
Edited: February 18, 2023

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