in the way of obeying you, I will refrain from narrating it.” Umar replied, “We leave you to what you have undertaken.”1—meaning, “Then narrate it to the people.”

Umar had forgotten that the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—had prescribed purification with earth in cases of major ritual impurity just as he had in cases of minor ritual impurity. Abdullah ibn Masud—may Allah be pleased with him—agreed with Umar on this matter, and a debate concerning it took place between him and Abu Musa—may Allah be pleased with them both. Abu Musa cited to him what Ammār had said to Umar, whereupon Ibn Masud replied, “Do you not see that Umar was not satisfied with Ammār’s statement?” Abu Musa said, “Let us set aside Ammār’s statement. What do you say about this verse?”—meaning the verse in Surah al-Mā’idah. Ibn Masud gave no reply.

There is no doubt, however, that the correct view is that of the body of scholars who hold that a person in a state of major ritual impurity performs purification with earth, just as a person in a state of minor ritual impurity does. The point is that a person may forget, leaving the religious ruling unknown to him, and consequently express a view for which he is excused. But one who knows the evidence is not excused. These, then, are two causes.