Books » Islamic Laws
Search in:
4. Rainwater →
← 2. Qalīl water
3. Flowing water
Flowing water is water that: (1) has a natural source, such as a spring, stream, subterranean canal, or meltwater; (2) flows, even if it is made to flow by some means; (3) is continuous, generally speaking. It is not necessary that the water be connected to a natural source; therefore, if it is naturally disconnected from it – such as water falling from above in the form of drops – then as long as it flows on the earth, it is considered to be flowing water. However, if something becomes an obstacle to the water connecting to the source – for example, something becomes an obstacle to the water falling or gushing, or disconnects it from the source – then the remaining water is not ruled to be flowing water even if it flows on the earth.
Ruling 27. In the event that an impurity makes contact with flowing water – even if it is less than kurr – then as long as the smell, colour, or taste of the water does not change by means of the impurity, it is pure.
Ruling 28. If an impurity makes contact with flowing water, the amount of flowing water that changes in smell, colour, or taste by means of the impurity is impure. Flowing water that is connected to a spring is pure even if it is less than kurr; and if the water that is on the other side of the stream is equal to kurr or it is connected to the spring by means of water that has not changed, it is pure; otherwise, it is impure.
Ruling 29. The water of a spring that is not flowing but is such that if water is taken from it water gushes out again is not ruled to be flowing water, meaning that if an impurity comes into contact with it and the water is less than kurr, it becomes impure.
Ruling 30. Water that is stagnant at the side of a stream and is connected to flowing water is not ruled to be flowing water.
Ruling 31. A spring that, for example, gushes in winter but does not gush in summer is ruled to be flowing water only when it gushes.
Ruling 32. If the water of a basin in a public bath is less than kurr, and the water is connected to the water of a tank which together with the water of the basin equals kurr, in the event that the water of the basin comes into contact with an impurity but its smell, colour, or taste does not change, the water does not become impure.
Ruling 33. With regard to water that pours out from taps and showers and flows in the pipes of bathrooms and buildings, if it is connected to a source that is equal to or greater than kurr, it is ruled to be kurr.
Ruling 34. With regard to water that flows on the earth but does not gush from it, in the event that it is less than kurr and an impurity comes into contact with it, it becomes impure. However, if the water flows from above and an impurity reaches its lower part, its upper part does not become impure.
4. Rainwater →
← 2. Qalīl water
Ruling 27. In the event that an impurity makes contact with flowing water – even if it is less than kurr – then as long as the smell, colour, or taste of the water does not change by means of the impurity, it is pure.
Ruling 28. If an impurity makes contact with flowing water, the amount of flowing water that changes in smell, colour, or taste by means of the impurity is impure. Flowing water that is connected to a spring is pure even if it is less than kurr; and if the water that is on the other side of the stream is equal to kurr or it is connected to the spring by means of water that has not changed, it is pure; otherwise, it is impure.
Ruling 29. The water of a spring that is not flowing but is such that if water is taken from it water gushes out again is not ruled to be flowing water, meaning that if an impurity comes into contact with it and the water is less than kurr, it becomes impure.
Ruling 30. Water that is stagnant at the side of a stream and is connected to flowing water is not ruled to be flowing water.
Ruling 31. A spring that, for example, gushes in winter but does not gush in summer is ruled to be flowing water only when it gushes.
Ruling 32. If the water of a basin in a public bath is less than kurr, and the water is connected to the water of a tank which together with the water of the basin equals kurr, in the event that the water of the basin comes into contact with an impurity but its smell, colour, or taste does not change, the water does not become impure.
Ruling 33. With regard to water that pours out from taps and showers and flows in the pipes of bathrooms and buildings, if it is connected to a source that is equal to or greater than kurr, it is ruled to be kurr.
Ruling 34. With regard to water that flows on the earth but does not gush from it, in the event that it is less than kurr and an impurity comes into contact with it, it becomes impure. However, if the water flows from above and an impurity reaches its lower part, its upper part does not become impure.