Chapter on Water
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The Shaykh : Then the author said: "Chapter on Water". He used the plural form considering their sources, because water is either sea water, rainwater, or well water. Therefore, he used the plural. Rainwater is that which comes from the rain, such as streams, ponds, and the like. Sea water is well known, as is well water. We might also add river water. The author used the plural form for them. Otherwise, the original rule is that water is a single genus and is not pluralized. However, considering its sources and types, he mentioned it in the plural.
And water is that liquid substance. It is one of the easiest things to obtain and one of the most valuable when needed. Water is the easiest thing to obtain and the most valuable when needed. Perhaps a single cup, when needed, is worth hundreds of dirhams, is that not so?
The student: Yes.
The Shaykh : Good, so it is both expensive and cheap. For this reason, the scholars said: If a person destroys a water skin in a desert, and its value there is five hundred dirhams, while its value in the town is two dirhams, is he liable for five hundred dirhams or two dirhams? He is liable for the first amount, because it is valuable in that place.
And water is that liquid substance. It is one of the easiest things to obtain and one of the most valuable when needed. Water is the easiest thing to obtain and the most valuable when needed. Perhaps a single cup, when needed, is worth hundreds of dirhams, is that not so?
The student: Yes.
The Shaykh : Good, so it is both expensive and cheap. For this reason, the scholars said: If a person destroys a water skin in a desert, and its value there is five hundred dirhams, while its value in the town is two dirhams, is he liable for five hundred dirhams or two dirhams? He is liable for the first amount, because it is valuable in that place.