Assalamualaikum Mufti Saab
Is water purification with reverse osmosis system allowed as u waste 3 to 5 lts. Of water to extract 1lt. World health organization condemns it as it removes all minerals and impurities. There are other means to purify without wastage
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
In simple terms, reverse osmosis works by water being forced across a semi-permeable membrane, leaving contaminants behind. The clean drinking water collects in a holding tank and the impure water is filtered out and is often called waste or reject water.[1]
The Shari’ah does make mention of wastage and extravagance in general.
Almighty Allah says in the Holy Quran, Surah An’aam, Verse 141,
وَلَا تُسْرِفُوا إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُسْرِفِينَ
Translation: “And do not be wasteful. Verily, Allah does not like those who are wasteful/extravagant.”
Consider the following hadith,[2]
عن عبد الله بن عمرو بين العاصي: أن النبي -صلي الله عليه وسلم – ِ مِر بسعد وهو يتوضأ، فقال: ما هذا السَّرَفُ يا سعد؟ قال: أفي الوضوء سرفٌ؟ قال: نعم، وإن كنتَ على نَهْرٍ جارٍ
Translation: “Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) passed by Sa’d (Radhiyallahu Anhu) while he was performing ablution. The Prophet said, “What is this excess?” Sa’d said, “Is there excess with water in ablution?” The Prophet said, “Yes, even if you were on the banks of a flowing river.”
It is clear from the above that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) has advised against wastage of water. Wastage of water is makrooh (reprehensible) and should be avoided at all costs.[3]
If the wasted/rejected water from the reverse osmosis system is used for external purposes, for example, watering plants, cleaning and washing etc, then that will not be wasting. The distilled/filtered water is used for drinking while undistilled/unfiltered water is put to external use.[4]
There are pros and cons of consuming distilled and purified water.[5] We advise you to consult a medical professional to determine what is most suitable for you.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Bilal Yusuf Pandor
Student Darul Iftaa
Lusaka, Zambia
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
[1] https://www.espwaterproducts.com/understanding-ro/
مسند أحمد ت شاكر (6/ 481) [2]
7065 – حدثنا قتيبة بن سعيد حدثنا ابن لهيعة عن حُيَيّ بن عبد الله عن أبي عبد الرحمن الحُبُلي عن عبد الله بن عمرو بين العاصي: أن النبي -صلي الله عليه وسلم – ِ مِر بسعد وهو يتوضأ، فقال: “ما هذا السَّرَفُ يا سعد؟ “، قال: أفي الوضوء سرفٌ؟، قال: “نعم، وإن كنتَ على نَهْرٍ جارٍ
النتف في الفتاوى للسغدي (1/ 14) [3]
اسْتِعْمَال المَاء فِي الْوضُوء
وَأما اسْتِعْمَال المَاء فِي الْوضُوء فَهُوَ مد وَاحِد من المَاء قَالَت الْفُقَهَاء هَذَا حد الاقل وَيجوز اكثر من ذَلِك وَقَالَ الشَّافِعِي هَذَا حد الْمُسْتَحبّ وَيجوز أقل مِنْهُ وَأكْثر
وَقَالَ ابو عبد الله هَذَا حد الاكثر وَدون ذَلِك جَائِز وَلَو لم يكن هَذَا حد الاكثر لما كَانَ للاسراف فِي الْوضُوء معنى وَقد ورد الْخَبَر عَن رَسُول الله صلى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسلم انه قَالَ شرار امتي الَّذين يتوضؤن ويسرفون فِي المَاء وَخيَار أمتِي الَّذين يتوضؤن بِالْمَاءِ الْيَسِير
بدائع الصنائع في ترتيب الشرائع (1/ 23)
(ومنها) : أن لا يسرف في الوضوء ولا يقتر، والأدب فيما بين الإسراف، والتقتير، إذ الحق بين الغلو، والتقصير، قال النبي – صلى الله عليه وسلم – «خير الأمور أوسطها»
تبيين الحقائق شرح كنز الدقائق وحاشية الشلبي (1/ 7)
ومكروهاته لطم الوجه بالماء والإسراف فيه
[4] https://www.bestrowaterpurifier.in/blog/ways-to-use-ro-waste-water/
[5] https://www.healthline.com/health/can-you-drink-distilled-water