Is water used to remove major or minor ritual impurity (musta'mal) pure and purifying?
Chapter on what purification is achieved with regarding water
Al-Mughni
Book of Purification
Primary text
The apparent ruling of the Madhhab holds that water used to remove ritual impurity (musta'mal) is pure but not purifying; it does not remove major or minor impurity, nor does it remove physical filth (najasah). This view is held by Al-Layth, Al-Awza'i, the common position attributed to Abu Hanifa, one narration from Malik, and the apparent position of Al-Shafi'i.
Supporting text
An alternative narration from Ahmad, held also by Al-Hasan, 'Ata', Al-Nakha'i, Al-Zuhri, Makhul, the People of the Zahir, the second narration of Malik, and the second opinion of Al-Shafi'i, states that the used water remains pure and purifying. Evidence cited includes the narration that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'Water does not become impure (yajnab),' and that he wrung water over a spot on his hair that the main washing missed during Ghusl.