the most strongly supported of the scholars’ views; it is also one of the positions reported from Ahmad. If, however, the water has been altered by impurity, water should be drawn from the well until it becomes clean again. If the water has not been altered, none need be drawn out. For the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was asked:

“You perform ablution with water from the well of Budā‘ah, a well into which menstrual cloths, dogs’ flesh, and foul matter are thrown?”

He replied:

“Water is pure and purifying; nothing renders it impure.”

This issue has been discussed at length elsewhere. And Allah knows best.

He was asked:

About a well into which a chicken fell and then died: does its water become impure or not?

He answered:

If the water has not been altered, it does not become impure. And Allah knows best.

He was asked:

About a well in the middle of a town whose water changes colour because of dung, turning yellow;