his feet, stirring them vigorously until the water becomes greatly altered by the mud, then the water remains purifying and is not disliked, because it changed through remaining for a long time.

Or if it changes through proximity to a carcass, or is heated by the sun, or by something pure, it is not disliked; nor if it is used …

His statement, “or through proximity to a carcass,” may be illustrated by a pond surrounded on every side by twenty dead sheep, such that it has acquired a very foul odour because of the carcasses. The author says that it remains purifying and is not disliked, because the change resulted from proximity, not from direct mixing. Some scholars have even reported consensus that water does not become impure when it changes due to its proximity to a carcass. (1) Perhaps some wording of the hadith may be cited as evidence: “Water is pure unless its taste, colour, or smell is changed by an impurity occurring in it,” (2) assuming the hadith to be authentic.

There is no doubt, however, that it is preferable to avoid using it if possible. If water that has not changed is available, it is better and further removed from contamination by water whose odour is foul and impure. It may also be medically harmful, for such odours may carry microbes that settle in this water.

His statement, “or is heated by the sun,” means that it is placed in the sun in order to become warm. For example, during winter a person may place water in the sun to warm it and then bathe with it; there is nothing wrong with this, and it is not disliked.

His statement, “or by something pure,” means: or it is heated by something pure, such as firewood, gas, or electricity; this is not disliked.

His statement, “nor if it is used,” the pronoun refers to purifying water.