Sunan Abu Dawud #122

Purification (Kitab Al-Taharah)
Sahih

The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.

حَدَّثَنَا مَحْمُودُ بْنُ خَالِدٍ، وَيَعْقُوبُ بْنُ كَعْبٍ الأَنْطَاكِيُّ، - لَفْظُهُ - قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا الْوَلِيدُ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ، عَنْ حَرِيزِ بْنِ عُثْمَانَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ مَيْسَرَةَ، عَنِ الْمِقْدَامِ بْنِ مَعْدِيكَرِبَ، قَالَ رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم تَوَضَّأَ فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَسْحَ رَأْسِهِ وَضَعَ كَفَّيْهِ عَلَى مُقَدَّمِ رَأْسِهِ فَأَمَرَّهُمَا حَتَّى بَلَغَ الْقَفَا ثُمَّ رَدَّهُمَا إِلَى الْمَكَانِ الَّذِي بَدَأَ مِنْهُ ‏.‏ قَالَ مَحْمُودٌ قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي حَرِيزٌ ‏.‏
I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) perform ablution. When he reached the stage of wiping his head, he placed his palms on the front of the head. Then he moved them until he reached the nape. He then returned them to the place from where he had started.
Narrated by Al-Miqdam b. Ma’dikarib reported :

Context

In this hadith, Al-Miqdam b. Ma’dikarib observes the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) performing ablution (wudu). He describes the method used by the Prophet, particularly how he wiped his head by placing his palms on the front and moving them to the nape, then returning them to the starting point. This detail highlights the importance of following the Prophet's example in acts of worship.

Modern Application

When performing wudu today, many Muslims strive to emulate the Prophet's (ﷺ) method as a means of fulfilling their religious obligations. This practice not only serves as a physical preparation for prayer but also as a spiritual reminder of the importance of cleanliness and intention in worship.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Purification (Wudu/Taharah) and Prophetic Conduct because it illustrates the specific actions of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) during ablution, emphasizing the significance of following his example.

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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.
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About Sunan Abu Dawud

This hadith is #122 from Sunan Abu Dawud, in the Book of Purification (Kitab Al-Taharah). It is graded Sahih and narrated by Al-Miqdam b. Ma’dikarib reported :.

About This Hadith