A Muslim civil engineer opposes the objection which the Muslim community has against the use and consumption of recycled toilet water.

Answer

The engineer has not proffered a single argument which could be worthwhile for consideration by the Shariah. Namibia, Singapore and the U.S.A. do not enter the Shar'i equation of prohibition. The health factor whilst important is of secondary importance when there exists a Shar'i element of primary importance for the prohibition of using the filthy water. In the absence of pure Shar'i factors of prohibition, the secondary element of health and disease, will assume the primary premises for the prohibition of the recycled najaasat.

Primarily, the concern regarding the use of recycled water is Deeni. Recycled water remains filth and haraam for use regardless of its superficial 'cleanliness'. What may be pure and clean to non-Muslims is not necessarily taahir for Muslims.

Assuming that the recycled water does not cause disease, then too its use is haraam. The actual hurmat in the first instance, is not based on the disease factor. The recycled water is haraam because it is najis in terms of the Shariah. It is filthy sewerage water which may not be intentionally given to even dogs. Furthermore, whilst the engineer says that the water does not cause disease, other experts say the contrary. The view of the engineer does not enjoy Shar'i status nor is there a valid reason for preferring it over and above the contrary view which propagates the disease and harmful aspects of the recycled filth. Therefore, the view claiming disease is the safest although the fatwa of hurmat is not primarily based on the disease factor.

Urine has many health benefits. In fact, a community in India daily drinks a glass of their own urine. Medical experts have proven the medicinal properties of urine. But this does not render urine permissible for Muslims. There is no difference between urine and recycled water in terms of the Shariah. Even the Qur'aan acknowledges the 'many benefits' of liquor and gambling. Despite this, these evils remain haraam. Benefit is not a legalizing factor in Islam. Everything on earth has benefits, even pork has its benefits.

The very idea of consuming najaasat – water saturated with urine and faeces - is loathsome and abhorrent to people of Imaan. Whilst najaasat is a natural attraction for kufr, Imaan repels it. Recycled water is najis, hence its use to even wash cars, is haraam.