Permissible Water for Wudu & Ghusl – Islamic Guidance
Which Water is Permissible for Wudu and Ghusl
Wudu and Ghusl are fundamental acts of purification in Islam. The Shariah has clearly outlined rules regarding the type and cleanliness of water used for Wudu and Ghusl.
Issue 1
Water from sources like rain, rivers, streams, springs, seas, wells, and snow/ice is permissible for Wudu and Ghusl. (General Fiqh Sources)
If any substance is added to the water which makes it not be called "water" in normal language, like syrup, soup, tea, rosewater, or cooked items where the purpose is not purification, then Wudu or Ghusl is not valid.
If a substance is added with the intention of removing impurities, like soap or berry leaves, Wudu is valid, but if the water becomes thick it is not valid for Ghusl.
If a pure substance changes the color, taste, or smell of the water but does not thicken it, like chalk, lime, or a little saffron enough to dye cloth, Wudu or Ghusl is not valid. (Dar al-Mukhtar)
Issue 2
Flowing water: If straws or sticks are dropped in and they are carried by the flow, it remains pure and purifying.
Impurities do not make it impure, but if the impurity changes the color, taste, or smell, it becomes impure. The water will remain pure once the impurity settles and the color, taste, and smell are restored. (Dar al-Mukhtar)
Issue 3
Rainwater falling from roof gutters is pure even if the roof has scattered impurities as long as it does not change the water's properties. If the rain stops and water remains stagnant on the roof, it becomes impure. (Alamgiri)
Issue 4
Large pools in mosques, forests, large jars, and ponds, with dimensions of 100 hands in length or width, have the same ruling as flowing water. Impurities do not render it impure unless color, taste, or smell changes. (General Fiqh Sources)
Issue 5
Water extracted from fruits or trees like banana, grapes, pomegranate, watermelon, and sugarcane juice is not permissible for Wudu or Ghusl. (Alamgiri, etc.)
Issue 6
In hot countries, if water in vessels other than gold or silver gets heated in sunlight, it should not be used until it cools. Even if a cloth gets wet, avoid using the water for fear of white stains, though Wudu or Ghusl performed with it is valid. (Bahar Shariah)
Issue 7
Water that falls from the body during Wudu or Ghusl is pure but cannot be used for purification purposes. Drops falling into vessels may have use if water is sufficient; otherwise, it is ineffective. (General Fiqh Sources)
Issue 8
Water collected by minors legally belongs to them. It may not be used by anyone else without permission. Wudu or Ghusl using it is valid, but using it without permission is sinful.
Teachers and instructors should note: minors are often asked to fetch water from wells for tasks, and using adult-fetched water without permission is also forbidden.
Issue 9
If a child dips their hand in water, and it is known their hand was impure, the water becomes impure. Otherwise, it does not. It is preferable to use fresh water for Wudu. (Fatawa Razawiyya)
Well (Kooay) Explanation
Allah Almighty has blessed mankind with water from the heavens. This water fulfills all purification needs and daily life depends entirely on it.
Water exists in two types of storage:
- Natural sources (Madan): Lakes, springs, rivers, streams, seas, large pools, jars, and wells
- Artificial containers (Mashq): Pots, tanks, jars, basins, and similar vessels
Importance of Natural Sources
Natural sources retain purity even if some impurities fall in, because human efforts cannot protect them from animals, excrement, or dirt. Shariah states such water remains pure.
Artificial Containers
For jars, pots, basins, etc., if they become impure, they must be purified according to Shariah. Underground tanks or tanks following modern usage must be cleaned three times if they get impure.
Detailed Rulings on Wells
(A) Remove all water if:
- Human or animal urine, flowing blood, any alcohol drops, impure wood, impure cloth, or other impure substances fall in
- Excrement of non-edible animals falls in
- Humans, goats, dogs, or larger animals with flowing blood die in it
- Chickens, birds, cats, mice, lizards, or other blood-bearing animals die or break apart in it
- Dead non-Muslims fall in or their fingers/nails touch water
- Small parts of children or other objects fall in whose impurity is certain
- Any other situation where impurity is definite
(B) Remove 40–60 Dools of water if:
- Pigeons, cats, chickens die
- Three to five mice die
- Small chicken falls but survives
(C) Remove 20–30 Dools of water if:
- Mice, moles, birds, lizards, chameleons, or smaller blood-bearing animals die but are not crushed
- Two mice die
- Mouse mouth falls in water
(D) Precautionary removal (Mustahabb):
- Objects whose impurity is uncertain
- Non-pig animals falling in but surviving
- Children’s pieces falling in but impurity uncertain
- People without Wudu or Junub entering but body is pure
- Goats falling but surviving
(R) Exceptions where impurity ruling is not applied:
- Water animals die but blood does not flow into water
- Non-blood animals die or fall in
- Vessels fall but do not contaminate water
- Minor dry or negligible impurities
- Flying halal animals, pigeon or bird droppings, predator bird droppings, mice, bats, tiny urine drops do not render the water impure
(Dar al-Mukhtar, Rad al-Muhtar, Alamgiri, Fatawa Razawiyya)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Which water is permissible for Wudu and Ghusl?
Natural water like rain, river, well, sea, and spring water is permissible.
2. Can mixed or flavored water be used?
No, if water changes its basic form like juice, tea, or soup, it is not valid.
3. Does impurity always make water impure?
No, only if the color, taste, or smell of water changes.
Note: This is not the complete article; the remaining part will be published tomorrow.