What is the ruling on water that has been mixed with impurity but whose characteristics remain unchanged?
Chapter on what purification is achieved with regarding water
Al-Mughni
Book of Purification
Primary text
Water, whether small in quantity or large, becomes impure if an impurity falls into it and alters its taste, color, or smell; this state of impurity persists as long as the change remains. This is agreed upon by scholars, citing the narration of Abu Umamah Al-Bahili that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Water is purifying; nothing renders it impure except that which overcomes its scent, taste, or color.' Imam Ahmad linked the prohibition against using such water to the general prohibition of carrion, stating that if carrion changes the water's characteristic, it carries the characteristic of the impurity.
Supporting text
Imam Ahmad initially stated there was no specific Hadith (aside from the characteristic change), perhaps due to weaknesses in some chains supporting the characteristic-based ruling. However, the ruling on change is undisputed. Furthermore, it is established that if a dog laps at water, the vessel must be washed, and the residue poured out, even if the water's characteristics appear unchanged, indicating a secondary reason for impurity or application of the specific ruling regarding canine residue.