and is the view adopted by a group of his followers, such as Ibn ‘Aqīl and others. Likewise, there is a well-known disagreement concerning a liquid into which an impurity falls without altering it; this has been discussed at length elsewhere. The more evident view is that if the impurity leaves no trace in it, but is entirely absorbed into it without changing its colour, taste, or smell, the liquid does not become impure. Allah, glorified be He, knows best.

He was asked:

If a dog laps milk, and the milk is then churned and butter forms in it, is it permissible to purify the butter? Please give us a ruling; may you be rewarded.

He replied:

Do milk and other liquids become impure through contact with an impurity, or do the same rulings apply to them as to water? Scholars hold two positions on this, both of which are reported from Ahmad. Likewise, Mālik has two positions on whether an impurity falling into a large quantity of food renders it impure. As for a dog lapping food, this does not render it impure according to Mālik.

Thus, according to one of the scholars’ two positions, this has not become impure, whereas according to the other, it has. The latter is the position of Abū Hanīfah and of Ahmad, according to the well-known position reported by his followers. But according to these scholars, can it be purified