In our rural village, we rely entirely on rainwater
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The questioner : In our rural village, we rely entirely on rainwater. There are several mosques in our village, and in the same mosque, there is a pool for water, meaning for ablution. My question is: sometimes these pools sit for more than ten years without the water being changed, and sometimes the color of the water turns green. Is it permissible for us to perform ablution from this? Or what should we do, given that we do not have running water and our reliance is on rainwater? Please advise us, may Allah reward you with the best of good.
The Shaykh : This water that changes due to its long standing is permissible for ablution and for the full ritual bath, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sunan Abi Dawud 66Sahih (Al-Albani).
The scholars are in consensus that if water changes due to impurity, it becomes impure. This change that occurs in the water due to its long standing is not a change due to impurity, even if it turns green or develops a foul smell. It is purifying, and it is permissible to purify oneself with it, whether for the full ritual bath, ablution, or removing impurity.
The Shaykh : This water that changes due to its long standing is permissible for ablution and for the full ritual bath, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Water is pure and is not defiled by anything.
الماء طهور لا ينجسه شيءThe scholars are in consensus that if water changes due to impurity, it becomes impure. This change that occurs in the water due to its long standing is not a change due to impurity, even if it turns green or develops a foul smell. It is purifying, and it is permissible to purify oneself with it, whether for the full ritual bath, ablution, or removing impurity.