And another view [from Ahmad] states: It is disliked, due to the statement of al-'Abbas: "I do not make it lawful for one who is bathing, but for the muhrim (pilgrim in state of ihram) (31), it is lawful and permissible (32)." Also, because he removes a barrier to prayer by it, it is similar to removing impurity by it.
The first view is more appropriate, for the statement of al-'Abbas is not taken according to its literal meaning regarding prohibition, so it is even less so in other cases. Its nobility does not necessitate the dislike of using it (33), similar to the water in which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) placed his hand, or from which he performed ghusl.
Section: Melted snow and hail are pure (tahur); because it is water (34) that has descended from the sky. And in the supplication of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him): "O Allah, purify me with water, snow, and hail." This is agreed upon (35).
If one takes snow and wipes it over his limbs, purification is not achieved, because the obligation is washing (ghasl), and the minimum of that is for the water to flow over the limb, unless it is light and melts so its water flows over the limbs, in which case washing is achieved and it suffices.
(31) In MS [M]: "li-l-muhrim" (for the pilgrim in state of ihram). (32) Al-bal: the permissible. See: Al-Nihayah fi Gharib al-Hadith wa al-Athar 1/154. (33) In the original manuscript: "min isti'malihi" (from its use). (34) Omitted from the original manuscript. (35) Recorded by al-Bukhari, in: The Chapter on What One Says After the Takbir, from the Book of Adhan; and the Chapter on Seeking Refuge from Sin and Debt; the Chapter on Seeking Refuge from the Vices of Old Age; and the Chapter on Seeking Refuge from the Tribulation of Poverty, from the Book of Supplications. Sahih al-Bukhari 1/189, 8/98, 100. And Muslim, in: The Chapter on What One Says When Raising His Head from Ruku', from the Book of Prayer; and the Chapter on What Is Said Between the Opening Takbir and the Recitation, from the Book of Mosques and Places of Prayer; and the Chapter on Seeking Refuge from the Evil of Tribulations and Others, from the Book of Remembrance. Sahih Muslim 1/346, 347, 419, 4/2078, 2079. And Abu Dawud, in: The Chapter on the Pause at the Opening, from the Book of Prayer. Sunan Abi Dawud 1/180. And al-Tirmidhi, in: A Chapter from the Chapters of Supplication. 'Aridat al-Ahwadhi 13/29. And al-Nasa'i, in: The Chapter on Ablution with Water of Snow and Hail, from the Book of Purification; and from the Book of Waters; and the Chapter on Bathing with Snow and Hail; and the Chapter on Bathing with Cold Water, from the Book of Ghusl and Tayammum; and the Chapter on Supplication Between the Takbir and Recitation, from the Book of Opening; and the Chapter on Seeking Refuge from the Evil of the Tribulation of the Grave; and the Chapter on Seeking Refuge from the Evil of the Tribulation of Wealth, from the Book of Seeking Refuge. Al-Mujtaba 1/45, 46, 143, 144, 163, 2/100, 8/230, 234. And Ibn Majah, in: The Chapter on Opening the Prayer, from the Book of Establishing Prayer; and the Chapter on What the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) Sought Refuge from, from the Book of Supplications. Sunan Ibn Majah 1/265, 2/1262. And al-Darimi, in: The Chapter on the Two Pauses, from the Book of Prayer. Sunan al-Darimi 1/283. And Imam Ahmad, in Al-Musnad 2/231, 494, 4/354, 381, 6/57, 207.
