A Well Does Not Become Impure through Doubt

Question

In the village of Damri-wala, Dehradun district, there is an old well. Both Hindus and Muslims have been drinking water from this well. For the past fifteen or twenty days the Hindus have resolved to let the Chamars (an Indian caste of leatherworkers, regarded as low) also draw water from this well, and the district official has also given permission. The Muslims tried as hard as they could, but failed. The well is the property of the Hindus; the Muslims are there merely as cultivators.

Answer

Until there is certainty, or until it becomes known by predominant probability (zann ghalib) that an impurity has fallen into the well, the water of the well will remain pure in the Shari'a; it will not become impure merely because of doubt. Hence drinking it and using it for other needs will be permissible.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

Preview. The full text opens with JavaScript enabled.