The Rules About Water

The well, pond or spring measuring ’10 ‘ Sharai yards on all the four sides which is equal to ‘7 ‘ yards in vogue or ‘100’ square yards of water or more is considered as clean and flowing water. If some dirty thing falls in it, it will not become unclean until the signs of pollution are visible. ((Ghayatul Autar)

The depth of tank water should be so much that its bed is not disturbed and the water does not become dirty when a hand full of water is taken from it. (Alamgiri)

In a big pond where dirty things are found the spot where such things are found is treated as polluted unanimously. One should leave sufficient space equivalent to a small pond and then make ablution or bathe in it. (Alamgiri)

If any dirty thing falls or mixes in water and one of the three symptoms appears then the water is impure or polluted. If some pure thing such as dirt, leaves of trees, saffron mixes with water and its quality is changed, the water will not become unclean. If water gives a bad smell due to its long storage even then it will not become dirty. Ice water is also clean. But it is narrated through Qina in Bahrul Raiq that if it is possible to colour the clothes with saffron water, using that water for nature calls is not permissible, like syrup of dates. (Ghayatul Autar)

Important: If some dirty thing falls into the flowing water and there is no change in colour, taste or smell, it is pure. (Ghayatul Autar)

It may be noted that there is difference of opinion among the scholars. Some of them think that flowing water is one that carries away grass and straw blades with it. This is also written in Shar-he-Vaqaya. Some others say that the flowing water is one which people think is flowing. (Ghayatul Autar)

If the pond is less than ’10x10' Sharai yards and water flows in from one side and flows out the other, then it is also defined as flowing water and on every side of this pond ablution is permissible. There is a verdict (Fatwah) in this regard. (N.H)

The water left in sunlight may be used for cleaning after nature calls. (Ghayatul Autar)

Ablution with squeezed juice of fruit or a tree is not permissible. If water is not available any where one must make dry ablution (Tayyamum) (Ghayatul Autar)

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If an animal from blood does not flow dies in a well such as mosquito, fly or fish, frog, crab etc. or two droppings (Mengni) of sheep or camel or the droppings of the birds or pigeons fall into the well then water does not become impure. (Ghayatul Autar)

A forest (Jungle) frog which is not web-footed like a duck dies in a well, the water becomes polluted (Ghayatul Autar)

Important: Hzt, Rasool Kareem Sal'm said "when a fly falls in your water, you should dip it fully and then take it out, because there is disease in one wing and cure in the other wing". It is narrated by Imam Bukhari Rah, through Hzt, Abu Hurera Raz, that this tradition (Hadeth) is true. It is clear from this tradtion (Hadees Shareef) that water does not become dirty on account of death of an animal without enough blood to flow. (Noor-ul-Hadaya)

It may be noted that on account of this if a fly falls into the curry, it should be taken out after dipping it fully. If a bird, a mouse or other animal like it falls into a well and dies, it should be taken out and ’20 to 30' buckets of water is to be drawn from the well to make it pure and clean. (Ghayatul Autar)

If a pigeon or hen or cat or animal of like size dies in the well, forty buckets of water should be drawn out, to make it clean. Removing of sixty buckets of water is desirable. (Mustahab) (Ghayatul Autar, Noor-ul-Hadaya)

If dirt falls into the well or man or goat or dog or other animal equivalent to it dies in it or some small or big animal swells and bursts in it, then it is essential to empty the whole well. If there is an ever flowing spring due to which it can't be emptied, then it should be emptied approximately up to one full well. To assess the quantity of water in the well the opinion of two pious persons who have knowledge about water, should be taken and done according to their advice. There is religious verdict too in this regard. This is a precautionary measure. Otherwise drawing of two to three hundred buckets full of water from that well is enough. This is based on the saying of Hzt, Imam Mohammed Rah, when he saw wells in Bagdad containing no more then three hundred buckets of water. But this declaration is weak, since as per Islamic law, for this type of pollution, the entire well is to be emptied. Thus it may not be limited to a particular figure. It cannot be accepted without reasonable proof for its purification. On the other hand, Ibne Abbas Raz, and Ibne Zubair Raz, have contradicted this (i.e. the limitation of 2 to 3 hundred of Buckets) (Ghayatul Autar, Noor-ul-Hadaya)

If water flows from a well even in a small quantity it is clean. (Ghayatul Autar)

In a well if the equal quantity of water to be drawn, is dried up or absorbed in the earth then that the water available after the absorption will be clean. The water that comes in the well from the earth after it is absorbed will not be impure. But if water is not drawn out, nor it dried up and fresh water comes in, then it will remain unclean. (Ghayatul Autar)

Any animal between the size of a pigeon and mouse and between the size of a hen and goat will be counted as small animal. (Ghayatul Autar)

Three to five mice are equal to one cat, and it requires ‘40’ buckets full of water to be drawn. Two cats and six mice are equal to a goat and then it is neccessary to empty the entire well. The droppings of birds and pigeon and crows and eagles and hawk falling in the well, will not make it unclean. (Ghayatul Autar)

It is written in Tatar Khania that if a mouse falls in a well and comes out alive drawing ‘20’ buckets full of water will be enough. If a cat, street hen, a person without ablution or without taking bath falls and come out alive then ‘40’ buckets of water are to be drawn. It is desirable. (Mustahab) (Ghayatul Autar)

It may be noted that the bucket should hold ‘1’ (Saa) or ‘3’ (sers) of water and if it is bigger it may be calculated accordingly. If the bucket had holes in it and by the time it is drawn, there remains only half of the water or less, then it is not proper. If less than half water falls down, it is permissible. (Ghayatul Autar)

If the bucket is big enough to hold ’20 to 40' normal buckets of water, it is enough to draw one or two buckets with it. (Ghayatul Autar)

If a dead animal swells or bursts in the well and the time of its falling is not known then consider that the water is impure since three days and three nights and repeat Namaz (Prayer) for these days. If the animal does not swell, it may be considered polluted since a day and night only and the things for which it was used should be washed again.
(Ghayatul Autar & Noorul Hadaya)

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