Thus, when the substance is salt or vinegar, it falls among the wholesome things that Allah has permitted, not among the foul things that He has forbidden. Likewise, earth, ash, and similar substances do not fall within the scriptural texts prohibiting such things. When the evidence for prohibition does not encompass them, either in wording or in meaning, it is not permissible to declare them impure or forbidden; they are therefore pure. If this applies to substances other than earth, then earth is all the more entitled to this ruling.

Accordingly, if no trace of impurity is apparent in street mud, it is pure. If, however, it is known with certainty that impurity is present in it, a small amount of such mud is excused.

For a Companion—may Allah be pleased with them all—would wade through mud, then enter the mosque and pray without washing his feet. This is known to have been the practice of Alī ibn Abī Tālib—may Allah be pleased with him—and other Companions, as mentioned previously. Mālik related this practice from them without qualification, and stated that even if faeces were dispersed throughout the mud, this would be excused. Other scholars, including followers of al-Shāfi'ī and Ahmad and others, likewise stated that a small amount of street mud is excused even when its impurity is known with certainty. And Allah knows best.