The Difference Between Pure Water and Purifying Water

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, a questioner says: What is the difference between our saying “pure water” (tahir) and “purifying water” (tahir), and what are the rulings related to them?

Answer:
The difference is that purifying water is that which is pure in itself and purifies others, and it remains in its original state, the state in which Allah created it. This is the purifying water. As for pure water, it is water that has been changed by pure things that altered its color, taste, or smell, until it was transformed, or it is water used for purification, such as the water of wudu’ that was used in a previous purification and in which a state of ritual impurity was removed. This is called pure water. If it touches clothing or the body, it is pure and does not make them ritually impure, but one does not perform wudu’ with it for prayer because it has lost its purifying quality. Yes.