Pure water and impure water in Islam have distinct differences. Generally, pure water is water whose taste, color, and smell remain unchanged. There are several important points about this that I will explain in this article. So, make sure you read it until the end.
Actually, there is a hadith from the Prophet Muhammad that describes the signs of pure and impure water.
Hadith About Pure and Impure Water for Wudu
The hadith about pure and impure signs of water that I refer to is as follows:
عَنْ أَبِيْ أُمَامَةَ الْبَاهِلِيِّ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : إِنَّ الْمَاءَ لَا يُنَجِّسُهُ شَيْءٌ إِلَّا مَا غُلِبَ عَلَى رِيْحِهِ وَطَعْمِهِ وَلَوْنِهِ . أَخْرَجَهُ اِبْنُ مَاجَهْ
From Abu Umamah al-Bahili radliyallahu anhu, he said, "The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said, 'Surely, water is not rendered impure unless its smell, taste, or color changes.'" The hadith is narrated by Ibn Majah.
Dear readers! If we examine the hadith above, we will understand that there are three properties of water that we can use to determine whether the water is pure or impure. These three properties are aroma, taste, and color. According to the hadith, water is not considered impure unless one or all three of these properties change due to the introduction of something impure.
For example, if there is a container of water in our bathroom and an object falls into it without altering any of the water's properties, then the water remains pure. We can use it for bathing, wudu, etc., because it is indeed pure and purifying. Similarly, if an object falls into coffee or tea and does not change their original properties, then the coffee and tea remain pure, and we may drink them. The opposite is also true!
However, Muslim scholars have different opinions regarding water that is considered impure, yet none of its properties change. Imam Malik argues that the water remains pure, whether in small or large quantities, due to other hadiths:
عَنْ أَبِيْ سَعِيْدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : إِنَّ الْمَاءَ طُهُوْرٌ لَايُنَجِّسُهُ شَيْءٌ . أَخْرَجَهُ الثَّلَاثَةٌ
From Abu Sa'id al-Khudri radliyallahu anhu, he said, "The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said, 'Surely, water is pure and cannot be defiled by anything.'" The hadith is narrated by three sources (Abu Daud, at-Tirmidhi, and an-Nasa'i).
Imam Malik also stated that if the impure substance changes one of the properties of the water, then the water becomes impure. According to the Shafi'i, Hanafi, and Hanbali schools of thought, if the water is in a small quantity, it is considered impure, but if it is in a large quantity, it is not impure. A small amount of water is less than two Qullahs (about 203.125 liters), whereas a large amount of water is two Qullahs or more.
Hadith About Qullah
The hadith about water in the amount of two Qullah is as follows:
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : إِذَا كَانَ الْمَاءُ قُلْتَيْنِ لَمْ يَحْمِلْ الْخَبَثِ . وَفِيْ لَفْظٍ : لَمْ يَنْجُسْ . أَخْرَجَهُ الْأَرْبَعَةُ
From Abdullah bin Umar radliyallahu anhu, he said, "The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said, 'If the water is as much as two Qullah, it does not carry impurities.' In another narration: 'It is not considered impure.'" The hadith is narrated by four scholars (Abu Daud, at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasa'i, and Ibn Majah).
Just for your information, the hadith above is narrated by Abu Umamah al-Bahili. Do you know who he is? He is Shuddai bin 'Ajlan al-Bahili, a renowned companion of the Prophet Muhammad. He narrated 250 hadiths. He lived in Egypt, then moved to Homs and passed away there in 81 Hijri. He was the last companion of the Prophet Muhammad to die in Sham.
As for Abu Sa'id al-Khudri, his full name is Sa'ad bin Malik bin Sinan al-Khudri. He pledged allegiance under the tree and participated in all battles after the Battle of Uhud. He was a knowledgeable companion who narrated 1170 hadiths. He passed away in 74 Hijri after living for 86 years.
Regarding Abdullah bin Umar, he was the son of Umar bin Khattab. He embraced Islam in his childhood in Makkah. He migrated with his father and participated in the Battles of Khandaq and Bi'atu ar-Ridwan. He narrated 1630 hadiths. He passed away in Makkah in 94 Hijri and was buried there.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding the distinction between pure and impure water is essential for Muslims to ensure the validity of religious practices like prayer and ablution. As explained in the hadiths, water is considered pure unless its smell, taste, or color is altered by impurities. Scholars have differing views on how to treat water when no visible change occurs, with some, like Imam Malik, maintaining its purity regardless of quantity. Others, such as the Shafi'i, Hanafi, and Hanbali schools, distinguish between large and small quantities of water in determining pureliness. This knowledge helps us uphold religious obligations in accordance with Islamic teachings. May this article serve as a useful guide in understanding the characteristics of water in Islam. Ameen!
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