Chapter on Water and Its Rules, and What is Permissible and Impermissible for Purification

This applies if the water is stagnant by its nature and not contaminated by impurities. If it has been altered by impurities, making it foul or changing its nature, it is impermissible to use it under any circumstances. The Shaykh (Al-Mufid), may Allah سبحانه وتعالى support him, said: If any impurity falls into stagnant water that is a kurr (a defined large quantity) or greater - which is measured as 1,200 Baghdad ratls or more - it does not become impure unless its color, taste, or smell changes due to the impurity. This ruling applies to water in ponds or wells. However, if the water is in a small well, pool, or container, it becomes contaminated by anything from creatures with flowing blood that die in it or by other impurities, and it is impermissible to purify oneself with it until it is cleansed. If the water in ponds or wells is less than 1,200 ratls, it is treated like water in small wells or pools - it becomes impure by any impurity, regardless of whether its color or taste changes, and purification with it is impermissible. We have already explained the definition of kurr: when water reaches or exceeds this quantity, it does not carry impurities unless its color or taste changes. On the other hand, water below the kurr is contaminated by any impurity, even if its color or taste does not change. The ruling on wells will be discussed later, God willing. The Shaykh (Al-Mufid), may Allah سبحانه وتعالى support him, further said: It is not permissible to purify oneself with mixed waters such as lentil water, saffron water, rose water, myrtle water, soap water, and similar liquids, until the water is free from anything that dominates it. Even if these liquids are pure in themselves and do not render anything they contact impure, they are not valid for purification. The evidence for this is the verse we previously mentioned: Allah سبحانه وتعالى has allowed purification with what is referred to as "water." If these liquids cannot be called "water" without qualification, it follows that they cannot be used for Wudu'. Furthermore, purification is a legal ruling, and the medium of purification is also subject to legal rulings. The texts specify that what is valid for Wudu' is what can be called "water," so anything else is invalid due to lack of evidence. This is also supported by narration from Abu Abdullah عليه السلام in which it was said to him: "If a person has milk, can he use it for Wudu'?" Imam عليه السلام replied: "No, only water and earth (dust) are for purification." As previously explained, there is no difference between the phrase "You have only such-and-such" and "You do not have except such-and-such" - both convey that anything other than what is mentioned after the restrictive phrase is excluded. Thus, the narration essentially states: "It is not permissible to perform Wudu' except with water and earth." These mixed waters do not qualify as "water" in the absolute sense and are therefore excluded from the ruling.