Syedna Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that a man asked the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, and said: Indeed, we travel by sea and carry only a little water with us. If we use it for ablution, we become thirsty. So can we perform ablution with sea water? The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, replied: The water of the sea is purifying and its dead (animals) are lawful.
Hadith Referenceالفتح الربانی / كتاب خلق العالم / 10231
Hadith Gradingمحدثین:صحیح
Hadith Takhrij«حديث صحيح، أخرجه ابوداود: 83، وابن ماجه: 386، والترمذي: 69، والنسائي: 1/ 50 ، (انظر مسند أحمد ترقيم الرسالة: 8735 ترقیم بيت الأفكار الدولية: 8720»
Brief Explanation
Benefits: … From this hadith it is understood that the water of the sea is pure and purifying, regardless of its taste. Also, the dead animal of the sea is lawful (halal); by this is meant that animal which cannot live except in water.