Wet Dung Thrown into a Well — The Ruling

Question

(1) A boy threw wet dung into a well. How much water should be drawn out? The water of the well is so deep that drawing it even for drinking is difficult; moreover, if it is drawn out and thrown away, there is a risk that the water will run out, since the well often dries up in summer — though this year it has not dried up, and the water is fourteen cubits. Besides this, irreligion is so rife that nobody draws the water out or is willing to do so; rather, they carry on drinking from it just the same.

Answer

(1) When fourteen cubits of water have come out of it, the well will become pure. It is not necessary for it to come out all at once: for instance, people may not draw water in order to purify the well, yet they keep drawing it for their own needs — even then, once the said amount has come out approximately, the well will become pure. (2)

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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