anything on his own and take his share of it, whether lead or anything else. He may not alter the structure of any part of it, nor may he alter the boiler or anything else. All of this is agreed upon by the Muslims. He has no right to close it; rather, it must be rented out on behalf of all the co-owners if any of them requests this, and the rent divided among them.

This is the position of the great majority of scholars, including Abū Hanīfa, Mālik, and Ahmad. If the bathhouse requires essential repairs, the co-owner must contribute to them alongside the others, according to the sounder of the two scholarly views. Allah knows best.”

He—may Allah have mercy on him—was asked:

A public water conduit has an overflow that discharges into a wastewater channel. Nearby is a conduit carrying pure water, but its supply is small. Is it permissible to divert that overflow to the ablution facility? Will the person who does this be rewarded? Is it permissible to prevent him from doing so?

He replied:

“Yes, this is permissible with the ruler’s permission. It is not permissible to prevent it if preventing it serves no interest recognized by Islamic law. Whoever works to bring this about will be rewarded. Allah knows best.”