Is it permissible to perform ablution (wudu') and ritual bathing (ghusl) with used water, and does it remove ritual impurity (hadath) and cleanse from physical impurities (najasa)?

Water that has been used for purification (ablution) is the water that falls from the limbs after they have been washed. Scholars have differed on the permissibility of using it for purification a second time. The majority of scholars hold that it is pure (tahir) but not purifying (tahur), meaning it does not remove ritual impurity (hadath) nor does it remove physical impurity (najasa). They cite as evidence the hadith prohibiting bathing in stagnant water. However, there is some reservation regarding the conclusion drawn from this hadith. The Malikis and the Zahiris, on the other hand, maintain that used water retains its purifying quality. Their strongest evidence is the saying of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: "Indeed, water is pure; nothing makes it impure." Nevertheless, it is preferable not to use it as a precautionary measure.