What is the ruling on the death of creatures without flowing blood, such as flies, scorpions, beetles, leeches, worms, and crabs, in water?
Chapter on what purification is achieved with regarding water
Al-Mughni
Book of Purification
Primary text
The common opinion among jurists is that water is not rendered impure by the death of creatures lacking flowing blood, whether terrestrial or aquatic. This includes animals such as flies, scorpions, beetles, leeches, worms, and crabs. The evidence supporting this is the Hadith where the Prophet, peace be upon him, commanded dipping the fly entirely if it falls into a container, stating that one wing contains disease and the other healing, implying the liquid remains usable for drinking and purification. Another supporting Hadith states that any food or drink wherein a creature without flowing blood has died is permissible for consumption, drinking, and purification (Wudu). This is because the creature has no flowing blood, thus no impurity originates from it, similar to the larvae found in vinegar.
Supporting text
A minority view, attributed to one opinion of Al-Shafi'i, holds that the water is rendered impure by the death of these creatures, and some of his companions consider this the measure of analogy (Qiyas). Al-Shafi'i generally considers these animals themselves impure because they are inedible animals due to their inherent prohibition.