Those who permitted ablution with sea water

A man from Banu Mudlij asked the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him): "O Messenger of Allah, we ride our boats on the sea in search of game, and we take a little water with us for drinking. If one of us performs ablution for the prayer with his own water, he will be left thirsty; and if he performs ablution with sea water, he feels uneasy about it." The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The water of the sea is purifying, and its dead (animals) are lawful."

Sayyiduna Abu al-Tufayl (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Sayyiduna Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) was asked: 'May ablution be performed with sea water?' He said: 'Its water is purifying and its dead (animals) are lawful.'"

A fisherman said: "Once the Commander of the Believers, Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), came to al-Jar to look after the provisions of grain, and I said: 'O Commander of the Believers, we ride our boats and take a little water with us for drinking. People claim that sea water does not purify.' Sayyiduna Umar said: 'What water could be purer than it?'"

Ikrimah said that Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was asked about sea water, and he said: "What water could be cleaner than it?"

Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) was asked about sea water, and he said: "There are two waters with which there is no harm in performing ablution: sea water and the water of the Euphrates."

Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: "The game of the sea is lawful, and its water is purifying."

Ibn Sirin said: "There is no harm in performing ablution with sea water."

Al-Hasan said: "There is no harm in performing ablution with sea water; it is purifying."

Ikrimah was asked: "May ablution be performed with sea water?" He said: "Do we not eat its fish?"

Tawus said: "Sea water removes dirt more than other water." Tawus considered it purifying.

Ibrahim said: "Sea water suffices, but fresh water is more beloved to me."

Ata said: "Sea water is purifying."

Sa'id bin al-Musayyib said: There is no harm in using sea water when one is compelled to do so.

Amr bin Sa'd says: Sayyiduna Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) came to al-Jar, called for towels, and said: "Bathe with sea water, for it is blessed."

Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The water of the sea is purifying, and its dead (animals) are lawful."