A man from Banu Mudlij asked the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him: "O Messenger of Allah! We board our boats and go out to sea in search of game. We take only a little water with us for drinking. If any of us uses his water for ablution, he will remain thirsty. And if he performs ablution with sea water, he feels uneasy in his heart." The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "The water of the sea is purifying and its dead (animals) are lawful."

Hazrat Abu Tufail says that Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq was asked whether ablution can be performed with sea water. He replied, "Its water is purifying and its dead (animals) are lawful."

A fisherman says that once the Commander of the Faithful, Hazrat Umar, came to the place of Jaar. I said, "O Commander of the Faithful! We board our boats and take a little water with us for drinking. People think that the water of the sea does not purify." Hazrat Umar replied, "Which water can be purer than this?"

Hazrat Ikrimah narrates that Hazrat Umar was asked about the water of the sea, so he replied, "Which water can be purer than this?"

Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) was asked about the water of the sea, so he said that there are two types of water with which there is no objection in performing ablution: the water of the sea and the water of the Euphrates.

Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) says that the catch of the sea is lawful and its water is purifying.

Hazrat Ibn Sirin says that there is no harm in performing ablution with sea water.

Hasan says that there is no harm in performing ablution with sea water. It is purifying.

Hazrat Ikrimah was asked whether ablution can be performed with sea water? He replied, "Do we not eat its fish?"

Hazrat Tawus says that the water of the sea cleanses filth better than other water. Hazrat Tawus considered it pure.