The Shar‘i Ruling on Reusing Treated Wastewater
Source: Fatāwā Shaykh al-Ḥadīth Mubārakpūrī, Vol. 1, Pg. 182
❖ Question
What is the ruling on reusing wastewater after purification? Specifically, water that comes out of residential areas (sewage water), which is then treated and purified through mechanical/chemical processes with the intention of reusing it for drinking or other necessities?
❖ Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh, ammā ba‘d!
A few days after returning from Aligarh, Ḥājī Ṣāḥib presented a note in which you asked whether it is permissible to reuse sewage water purified through mechanical treatment for drinking or other necessary uses.
◈ Fiqh Perspective
- Regarding the bodily excretions of the Prophet ﷺ, the scholars of the four major madhāhib are almost unanimously agreed that these were ṭāhir (pure).
This is based on narrations such as:
"ان عبدالله بن الزبير شرب دم حجامة النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم وام ايمن شربت بول النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم"
- However, concerning the excretions of all other humans besides the Prophet ﷺ, there is consensus in the Ummah that these are najis (impure).
- The impurity of these excretions and their discharge from the front and rear outlets are the very basis of their prohibition.
- An important point here is that chemical or mechanical treatment does not remove the Shar‘ī impurity. In other words, scientific purification or filtration does not make such water pure according to Sharī‘ah.
◈ Conclusion
- In my opinion, using such treated wastewater for drinking (sharban) or eating (aklan) purposes is not permissible.
- However, if there is a case of genuine Shar‘ī necessity (iḍṭirār bi-shar‘ī), then Allah knows best regarding that specific situation.
- Since you have yourself reflected upon this issue, I would appreciate it if you could share with me the conclusion you have reached.
(Signed: ʿUbaydullāh Raḥmānī – 7/3/1402H / 5/1/1982 CE)
From: Makātīb Shaykh Raḥmānī addressed to Mawlānā Amīnullāh Atharī, pp. 147–148
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
