A man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and asked him: Messenger of Allah, how is the ablution (to performed)?
He (the Prophet) then called for water in a vessel and washed his hands up to the wrists three times, then washed his face three times, and washed his forearms three times. He then wiped his head and inserted both his index fingers in his ear-holes; he wiped the back of his ears with his thumbs and the front of his ears with the index fingers. He then washed his feet three times.
Then he said: This is how ablution should be performed. If anyone does more or less than this, he has done wrong and transgressed, or (said) transgressed and done wrong.
Narrated by Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-'As:
Context
Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-'As narrates a detailed description of the Prophet Muhammad's (ﷺ) ablution. The Prophet (ﷺ) demonstrated the steps of wudu, including washing hands, face, arms, wiping the head, and washing feet, emphasizing the importance of each action. He concluded by stating that any addition or omission would be wrong.
Modern Application
This hadith serves as a practical guide for Muslims today when performing wudu. By adhering to the prescribed steps, individuals can ensure their purification is complete and valid, fostering a sense of discipline and mindfulness in their worship.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Prayer and Purification (Wudu/Taharah) because it outlines the essential components of ablution as taught by the Prophet (ﷺ), which are crucial for the validity of prayer.
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.
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.
O you who have believed, let those whom your right hands possess and those who have not [yet] reached puberty among you ask permission of you [before entering] at three times: before the dawn prayer and when you put aside your clothing [for rest] at noon and after the night prayer. [These are] three times of privacy for you. There is no blame upon you nor upon them beyond these [periods], for they continually circulate among you - some of you, among others. Thus does Allah make clear to you the verses; and Allah is Knowing and Wise.
And among them are those who abuse the Prophet and say, "He is an ear." Say, "[It is] an ear of goodness for you that believes in Allah and believes the believers and [is] a mercy to those who believe among you." And those who abuse the Messenger of Allah - for them is a painful punishment.