The Difference Between Pure Water and Purifying Water

Question:
Fawwaz from al-Ta'if, O Shaykh, asks some questions related to ritual purity. He says: What is the difference between pure water (al-ma' al-tahir) and purifying water (al-ma' al-tahur)?

Answer:
The jurists (may Allah have mercy on them) divided water into three categories: pure (tahir), which is pure in itself but does not purify others; purifying (tahur), which is pure in itself and purifies others; and impure (najis), which is impure water. Some scholars divide it into two categories, saying that water is either purifying (tahur) or impure (najis), in which case pure (tahir) water falls under the category of purifying (tahur). Yes.