The Ruling on Doubt in the Hadith of Abu Qatadah

Question : Also, the argument regarding the doubt in the hadith of Abu Qatadah is that it is something from which one cannot guard oneself, even though Abu Qatadah could have chosen not to listen to the river, thereby guarding himself from it.

Answer : Yes, because when the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) ruled that it is pure, there is no difference between whether we choose for it to drink from our vessels or not. Otherwise, in this case, there is no doubt that one can guard against it. However, the ruling is based on the majority; the rare case, the scholars say, has no ruling. Yes.