Some people of the Quraysh passed by the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) dragging one of their sheep like a donkey (in its size or for its disposal). The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to them: "Would that you took its skin." They said: "It died a natural death." The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Water and Qarazh (leaves of the mimosa) purify it."

Explanation

Al-‘Āliyah bint Subay‘ (may Allah have mercy on her) relates that she had some sheep that began to die from some illness or some other cause. She went and informed Maymūnah (may Allah be pleased with her) who directed her to make use of its skin. She said: "Is it permissible to make use of its skin after its death?" Maymūnah said: "Yes, it is permissible," and then she proved her statement with a story that occurred when some men from the Quraysh passed by the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) dragging one of their sheep as a donkey to get rid of it, or it was similar to a donkey in its size. So the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to them: "It would be better if you made use of it rather than throwing it away." They said: "It has died a natural death (without slaughtering)" as if they supposed that the Messenger (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was not aware that it had died without being slaughtered, while they knew that all parts of a dead animal are unlawful due to its impurity. The Messenger (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed them that tanning it with water and leaves of the mimosa plant would render this impure substance pure.