The Case of a Well and Things that May Fall in It (Fatwa best explains Ahadith 2-12 as well as the following chapter.)

“I once wrote to a person to write to abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), to ask him about a well in one’s house for Wudu’. If some drops of urine, or blood, or animal dung and so forth fall in it, then how can it be cleansed so one can take Wudu’ with water from such a well for Salah (prayer). He (the Imam) sent the answer with his signature that said, ’Draw a few buckets of water from it and dispose such water away.’”

Well water is vast. It does not become polluted until it is changed.’”

“This is about the case of a rat, cat, chicken, bird and dog in a well. Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘As long as they have not disintegrated or water’s taste is not changed, take out five buckets of water thereof, but if there is a change in the water then continue drawing out the water until the smell is gone.’”

Water does not become polluted because of the living things which do not have spurting blood when a cut is made in its body.’”

“This is about the case of al-Sam al-Abras (a poisonous snake) that falls in the well. Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘It is not harmful. Just stir the water with the bucket.’”

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about things that fall into the wells. He (the Imam) said, ‘Because of rats and similar things, seven buckets of water must be drawn out, unless the water is changed, in which case drawing water out must continue until it becomes clean. If a dog falls in it, if you can, draw all of the water out. Falling in a well of anything without blood like a scorpion or beetle and similar things is not harmful.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If something small falls in a well and dies, then take a few buckets of water out. If a person involved in sexual activities (because of which Ghusl (bath) is obligatory) falls in it, you must draw seven buckets of water out thereof. If a camel dies in it or wine is poured in it then you must draw out all of the water.”’

“I once asked abu al-Hassan (a.s.), about a man who slaughters a sheep and due to the shock it falls into the water well with blood gushing from its veins. Can one take Wudu’ from such well? He (the Imam) said, ’One must draw out thirty to forty buckets of water, then one can take Wudu’ with its water and it is not harmful.’ I then asked about a man who slaughters a chicken or pigeon and it falls into the well. Can one take Wudu’ with water from such well? He (the Imam) said, ‘A few buckets of water must be taken out, then one can take Wudu’.’ I then asked about someone from whose nostril blood falls into the well can one then take Wudu’ with water from such well? He (the Imam) said, ‘A few buckets of water must be taken out.’”

“I once said to abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), that there is a water-well and with its water pieces of skin come out. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not anything. Perhaps a frog sheds its skin.’ He (the Imam) said that one bucket of water is sufficient for you.’”

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, about a rope made of the hairs of hogs which is used to take out water from the well. Can Wudu’ be made with such water? He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful.’”

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, about the falling of feces into a well. He (the Imam) said, ‘Ten buckets of water must be taken out and if it has disintegrated then forty or fifty buckets of water must be taken out.’”

“I once said to abu ‘Abd Allah, Alayhi al-Salam, that there was a well from which people drank, took Wudu’, washed their clothes and flour was made into dough with its water, and then a dead body was found in it. He (the Imam) said, ‘It does not matter, there is no need to wash clothes or perform Salah (prayer) again.’”