`Abdullah bin Al-Abbas and Al-Miswar bin Makhrama differed at Al-Abwa'; Ibn `Abbas said that a
Muhrim could wash his head; while Al-Miswar maintained that he should not do so. `Abdullah bin
`Abbas sent me to Abu Aiyub Al-Ansari and I found him bathing between the two wooden posts (of
the well) and was screened with a sheet of cloth. I greeted him and he asked who I was. I replied, "I
am `Abdullah bin Hunain and I have been sent to you by Ibn `Abbas to ask you how Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)
used to wash his head while in the state of lhram." Abu Aiyub Al-Ansari caught hold of the sheet of
cloth and lowered it till his head appeared before me, and then told somebody to pour water on his
head. He poured water on his head, and he (Abu Aiyub) rubbed his head with his hands by bringing
them from back to front and from front to back and said, "I saw the Prophet (ﷺ) doing like this."
Narrated by Narrated `Abdullah bin Hunain:
Context
This hadith narrates a discussion between Ibn Abbas and Al-Miswar regarding the washing of the head while in a state of ihram. Ibn Abbas sought clarification from Abu Aiyub Al-Ansari, who demonstrated the Prophet Muhammad's (ﷺ) practice. This exchange highlights the importance of seeking knowledge and understanding the Prophet's practices in religious observance.
Modern Application
In today's context, this hadith encourages individuals to seek knowledge about religious practices and to learn from authentic sources. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the correct way to observe rituals, ensuring that one's actions align with the teachings of the Prophet (ﷺ).
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Prophetic Conduct and Islamic Dress Code because it illustrates the Prophet's practices during ihram and the importance of following his example in religious observance.
O you who have believed, when you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles. And if you are in a state of janabah, then purify yourselves. But if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women and do not find water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and hands with it. Allah does not intend to make difficulty for you, but He intends to purify you and complete His favor upon you that you may be grateful.
And complete the Hajj and 'umrah for Allah. But if you are prevented, then [offer] what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals. And do not shave your heads until the sacrificial animal has reached its place of slaughter. And whoever among you is ill or has an ailment of the head [making shaving necessary must offer] a ransom of fasting [three days] or charity or sacrifice. And when you are secure, then whoever performs 'umrah [during the Hajj months] followed by Hajj [offers] what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals. And whoever cannot find [or afford such an animal] - then a fast of three days during Hajj and of seven when you have returned [home]. Those are ten complete [days]. This is for those whose family is not in the area of al-Masjid al-Haram. And fear Allah and know that Allah is severe in penalty.
Certainly has Allah showed to His Messenger the vision in truth. You will surely enter al-Masjid al-Haram, if Allah wills, in safety, with your heads shaved and [hair] shortened, not fearing [anyone]. He knew what you did not know and has arranged before that a conquest near [at hand].
O you who have believed, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated until you know what you are saying or in a state of janabah, except those passing through [a place of prayer], until you have washed [your whole body]. And if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women and find no water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and your hands [with it]. Indeed, Allah is ever Pardoning and Forgiving.
[Aaron] said, "O son of my mother, do not seize [me] by my beard or by my head. Indeed, I feared that you would say, 'You caused division among the Children of Israel, and you did not observe [or await] my word.' "
This hadith is #1772 from Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of Penalty of Hunting while on Pilgrimage. It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated `Abdullah bin Hunain:.