Is purification (Taharah) achieved only with pure water?
Chapter on what purification is achieved with regarding water
Al-Mughni
Book of Purification
Primary text
Purification is exclusively achieved by pure water, as the Divine Law has specified it for this purpose. Therefore, it is not achieved through other liquids. This view is held by Malik, Shafi'i, Abu Ubayd, and Abu Yusuf. The evidence for restricting purification to water is the Divine command regarding the inability to find water, which mandates transitioning to dust (Tayammum): {If you find no water, then betake yourselves to clean earth} (Quran 4:43). Furthermore, the Prophet, peace be upon him, stated: 'The clean earth is the ablution of the Muslim, even if he does not find water for ten years' (Reported by Abu Dawud).
Supporting text
A narration attributed to Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, suggested that ablution with Nabidh (a date beverage) was permissible, though this is not established from him. Al-Hasan and Al-Awza'i also held this view. 'Ikrimah stated that Nabidh is ablution for one who cannot find water. Al-Shafi'i mentioned that Nabidh is preferable to Tayammum if available, and combining them is better. A narration from Ibn Mas'ud suggesting the Prophet used Nabidh for Fajr prayer when water was absent is deemed unreliable because its narrator, Abu Zayd, is unknown to the hadith scholars, and Ibn Mas'ud himself denied being present with the Prophet on the night of the Jinn.