Is water or liquid considered pure if a mouse or cat falls into it and subsequently exits while still alive?
Chapter on what purification is achieved with regarding water
Al-Mughni
Book of Purification
Primary text
The substance remains pure if a creature such as a mouse or cat falls into a liquid or a small amount of water and subsequently exits alive. Ahmad affirmed this ruling, stating there is no issue if the creature remains alive when questioned about a mouse falling into melted ghee. The concern is reserved for when the creature dies in the substance. The basis for this is the principle of original purity (Asl al-Taharah), and since it is doubtful whether the water contacted the creature's exit point, certainty is not removed by doubt. Furthermore, when the living animal falls into the water, its exit orifice becomes attached [to its body] and does not contact the water freely.
Supporting text
It is held by some that the liquid becomes impure if the creature's exit point contacts the water, because the exit point of impurity is inherently impure, thus rendering the water impure by contact.