✍ Taken from: Fiqhi Ahkām wa Masāʾil in the Light of the Qur’an and Hadith, Vol. 1, p. 23
After the testimony of faith (Kalimat al-Shahādah), prayer (ṣalāh) is the second pillar of Islam. It is the distinguishing mark between a believer and a disbeliever, and the foundation of Islam. On the Day of Judgment, the first act for which a servant will be held accountable is prayer.
If the prayer is accepted and sound, the rest of the deeds will be accepted.
If it is rejected, all other deeds will be rejected as well.
The Qur’an speaks about ṣalāh on many occasions and in various styles:
Due to its immense importance, prayer was the comfort of the eyes of the Prophet ﷺ, the adornment of the prophets, and the mark of righteous believers.
Furthermore:
Islamic jurists have always prioritized the topic of purification (ṭahārah) in books of fiqh, due to its foundational role. After all, when prayer was given primacy among the pillars of Islam after the declaration of faith, it was deemed appropriate that its prerequisites be discussed first.
Among the prerequisites is purification, which is the key to prayer, as mentioned in the hadith:
"مِفْتَاحُ الصَّلَاةِ الطُّهُورُ"
“The key to prayer is purification.”
Sunan Abī Dāwūd – Bāb Fard al-Wuḍūʾ – Ḥadīth 61
Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī – Bāb Mā Jāʾa Fī Mafātīḥ al-Ṣalāh – Ḥadīth 3
Purification (ṭahārah) is the key to open it
Purification is thus a precondition (sharṭ) for prayer, and a precondition always precedes the action itself.
Let us now understand the types of water, their characteristics, and when they can be used for purification.
"وَأَنزَلْنَا مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً طَهُورًا"
“And We sent down from the sky pure water.”
Surah al-Furqān: 25/48
"وَيُنَزِّلُ عَلَيْكُم مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً لِّيُطَهِّرَكُم بِهِ"
“And He sent down upon you water from the sky to purify you with it.”
Surah al-Anfāl: 8/11
Water that is:
① Pure in itself, and
② Able to purify others.
This includes:
All of these can remove both ḥadath and najāsah.
If impurity mixes with water and changes its smell, taste, or color, it becomes impure by consensus.
If water mixes with something pure (like soap, leaves, minerals), but it does not dominate or alter the essential nature of water, scholars differ.
The stronger opinion is that such water remains pure and usable.
Shaykh al-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله said:
“If a small or large amount of pure substance changes the water but it is still called water, there are two scholarly views.”
He considered the correct view that such water is pure and allowed for purification.
Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā 21/24–25
In the absence of water or inability to use it, Allah made tayammum (dry ablution) a substitute:
"فَلَمْ تَجِدُوا مَاءً فَتَيَمَّمُوا صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا"
“Then if you do not find water, perform tayammum with clean earth.”
Surah al-Māʾidah: 5/6
🗣 Ibn Hubayrah رحمه الله said:
"If water is available, wuḍū’ is obligatory; if not, then tayammum is."
وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
Allah knows best what is correct.
❖ The Position of Prayer in Islam
After the testimony of faith (Kalimat al-Shahādah), prayer (ṣalāh) is the second pillar of Islam. It is the distinguishing mark between a believer and a disbeliever, and the foundation of Islam. On the Day of Judgment, the first act for which a servant will be held accountable is prayer.
If the prayer is accepted and sound, the rest of the deeds will be accepted. If it is rejected, all other deeds will be rejected as well.The Qur’an speaks about ṣalāh on many occasions and in various styles:
- Sometimes by commanding its establishment,
- Sometimes by highlighting its importance and status,
- Sometimes by mentioning its reward,
- And elsewhere, by linking it with patience, instructing that help be sought through both during trials.
❖ Prayer: The Adornment of Prophets and the Mark of Believers
Due to its immense importance, prayer was the comfort of the eyes of the Prophet ﷺ, the adornment of the prophets, and the mark of righteous believers.
Furthermore:
- Prayer is a means of communication between the servant and his Lord.
- Prayer prevents immorality and wrongdoing.
- The soundness of prayer depends on being pure from both physical and ritual impurities, according to one’s capacity.
- If water is not available, pure earth (ṭayyib saʿīd) becomes a substitute.
❖ The Scholars’ Approach: Beginning with Purification
Islamic jurists have always prioritized the topic of purification (ṭahārah) in books of fiqh, due to its foundational role. After all, when prayer was given primacy among the pillars of Islam after the declaration of faith, it was deemed appropriate that its prerequisites be discussed first.
Among the prerequisites is purification, which is the key to prayer, as mentioned in the hadith:
"مِفْتَاحُ الصَّلَاةِ الطُّهُورُ"
“The key to prayer is purification.”
Sunan Abī Dāwūd – Bāb Fard al-Wuḍūʾ – Ḥadīth 61 Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī – Bāb Mā Jāʾa Fī Mafātīḥ al-Ṣalāh – Ḥadīth 3
Impurity (ḥadath or najāsah) is a lock
Purification (ṭahārah) is the key to open itPurification is thus a precondition (sharṭ) for prayer, and a precondition always precedes the action itself.
❖ Meaning of Ṭahārah (Purification)
- Linguistically: It means to be clean from all forms of filth.
- In Islamic law: It refers to the removal of both ritual and physical impurities.
➤ Ritual impurity (ḥukmī najāsah):
- Removed by wuḍū’ (minor) or ghusl (major)
- If water is not available or use is not possible, tayammum is performed with clean earth
❖ Types of Water and Their Rulings
Let us now understand the types of water, their characteristics, and when they can be used for purification.
❖ Pure Water in the Qur’an
"وَأَنزَلْنَا مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً طَهُورًا"
“And We sent down from the sky pure water.”
Surah al-Furqān: 25/48"وَيُنَزِّلُ عَلَيْكُم مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً لِّيُطَهِّرَكُم بِهِ"
“And He sent down upon you water from the sky to purify you with it.”
Surah al-Anfāl: 8/11❖ Definition of Ṭahūr Water
Water that is:
① Pure in itself, and
② Able to purify others.
This includes:
Rainwater
Snow
Hail
Sea water
Spring water
Well water
River water
Dew
All of these can remove both ḥadath and najāsah.
❖ When Does Water Become Impure?
If impurity mixes with water and changes its smell, taste, or color, it becomes impure by consensus.❖ Water Mixed with Pure Substances
If water mixes with something pure (like soap, leaves, minerals), but it does not dominate or alter the essential nature of water, scholars differ.
The stronger opinion is that such water remains pure and usable.Evidence:
Shaykh al-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله said:
“If a small or large amount of pure substance changes the water but it is still called water, there are two scholarly views.”
He considered the correct view that such water is pure and allowed for purification.
Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā 21/24–25❖ When Water Is Not Found – The Ease of Tayammum
In the absence of water or inability to use it, Allah made tayammum (dry ablution) a substitute:
"فَلَمْ تَجِدُوا مَاءً فَتَيَمَّمُوا صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا"
“Then if you do not find water, perform tayammum with clean earth.”
Surah al-Māʾidah: 5/6🗣 Ibn Hubayrah رحمه الله said:
"If water is available, wuḍū’ is obligatory; if not, then tayammum is."
❖ Summary of Rulings on Water
① Pure Water:
- Water that retains its natural state
- May be slightly altered by pure substances but still called water
- Permissible for wuḍū’ and ghusl
② Impure Water:
- Water whose taste, color, or smell is changed by an impurity
- Not permissible for purification
Conclusion
- Prayer is the most significant pillar of Islam after faith.
- It requires purification, which is its key.
- Pure water in its natural state can be used for wuḍū’ or ghusl.
- In case of absence of water, tayammum is prescribed.
- Knowledge of purification is foundational for worship.
وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
Allah knows best what is correct.
