Types of Water
Types of Water (Aqsām al-Miyāh)
Water is divided into four types:
- Water that is pure in itself and can purify other things
- Water that is pure and can purify, but its use is disliked (makrūh)
- Water that is pure but cannot be used for purification
- Water that has been contaminated by impurity (najāsah)
Type 1: Pure in itself and purifying for others
(Al-Ṭāhir al-Muṭahhir)
This is absolute water (mutlaq) that remains in its original natural state and is still called “water,” even if it has undergone changes due to:
- Standing still for a long time
- Natural causes such as soil or minerals
- Changes related to location, such as being stored in containers
- Flowing through channels or land
These factors do not remove its status as absolute water.
Evidence:
A hadith reported by al-Bukhari (217) and others:
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported:
A Bedouin stood up and urinated in the mosque. The people rushed to stop him, but the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Leave him, and pour a bucket or a container of water over his urine.
You were sent to make things easy, not to make them difficult.”
Type 2: Pure and purifying, but disliked to use
(Al-Ṭāhir al-Makrūh)
This refers to water heated by the sun, whose use is disliked (makrūh) under the following three conditions:
- It is in a hot climate
- It is stored in a container that can rust
(excluding containers made of gold or silver, such as iron or copper) - It is used on the human body
Imam al-Shafi‘i and others reported from ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him):
“I do not dislike sun-heated water, except from a medical perspective.”
It has also been reported that such water may cause skin disease.
Nevertheless, this water remains absolute water and is valid for purification according to Islamic law.
Type 3: Pure but not purifying
(Al-Ṭāhir Ghayr al-Muṭahhir)
This type has two forms:
First form: Small amount of water
(less than two qullahs) that has already been used for purification, such as:
- Obligatory bathing (ghusl)
- Ablution (wudu’)
Evidence:
A hadith reported by al-Bukhari (191) and Muslim (1616):
Jabir ibn ‘Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ visited me while I was ill and unconscious. He performed ablution and poured the remaining water over me.
If this water had not been pure, the Prophet ﷺ would not have poured it on him.
Second form: Absolute water mixed with a pure substance
When a pure substance mixes with water in such a way that it cannot be separated afterward and causes the water to lose its identity as “water,” such as:
- Tea
- Coffee
The ruling is based on color, smell, and taste.
If these characteristics change so much that it is no longer called water, then the liquid remains pure but cannot be used for ritual purification.
Type 4: Water contaminated by impurity
(Al-Mā’ al-Munajjis)
This type has two cases:
First case: Small amount of water
(Less than two qullahs)
If impurity falls into it, the water becomes impure immediately, even if its color, smell, and taste do not change.
Second case: Large amount of water
(Two qullahs or more)
If impurity falls into it but does not change its color, smell, or taste, the water remains pure.
However, if any of these characteristics change, the water becomes impure.
Evidence:
A hadith narrated by Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), in which the Prophet ﷺ said:
“None of you should urinate into stagnant water and then bathe in it.”
Summary: Water Permissible for Purification
- Type 1 (absolute water) may be used for purification
- Type 2 (sun-heated water) may also be used, though its use is disliked
Type 3 water, although pure, may only be used for drinking or cooking
Type 4 water cannot be used for purification, drinking, or washing clothes,
as it would transfer impurity to whatever it contacts.