Islamic Ruling on the Purity of Used Water (Māʾ Mustaʿmal)

Question:

What is the ruling regarding māʾ mustaʿmal (used water)?

Answer:

Māʾ mustaʿmal (used water) is pure, and it can be used to remove physical impurity (najāsah ḥaqīqiyyah).

Scholarly Consensus:

❀ ʿAllāmah ʿAynī al-Ḥanafī رحمه الله (855 AH):

أما الماء المستعمل، فيجوز به إزالة النجاسة الحقيقية بالإتفاق
“As for used water, it is permissible—by consensus—to remove physical impurity with it.”
(Minḥat al-Sulūk, p. 80)

✅ Conclusion:

• Māʾ mustaʿmal is ṭāhir (pure).
• It may be used to wash away physical impurities.
• Scholars are in agreement on this matter.