We accompanied the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) to a caravan, and I had a jug of water. He went to relieve himself and came back. I came to him with the jug of water and poured upon him. He washed his hands and face. He had a tight-sleeved Syrian woolen gown. He tried to get his forearms out, but the sleeve of the gown was very narrow, so he brought his hands out from under the gown. I then bent down to take off his socks. But he said to me : Leave them, for my feet were clean when I put them in, and he only wiped over them.
Yunus said on the authority of al-Sha’bi that ‘Urwah narrated his tradition from his father before him, and his father reported it from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).
Narrated by ‘Urwah b. al-Mughirah reported his father as saying :
Context
This hadith describes an incident where the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was provided with water for ablution while traveling. It highlights the Prophet's (ﷺ) practical approach to maintaining cleanliness, even in challenging circumstances. By wiping over his shoes instead of removing them, he demonstrated flexibility in adhering to the principles of purification.
Modern Application
In contemporary life, this principle can be seen in the way individuals adapt their practices to fit their circumstances. For example, one might choose to wipe over their shoes when in a hurry, reflecting a balance between maintaining cleanliness and practicality.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Prayer and Prophetic Conduct because it illustrates the Prophet's (ﷺ) practical approach to maintaining cleanliness while traveling, emphasizing the importance of flexibility in worship.
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.
[We said], "And take in your hand a bunch [of grass] and strike with it and do not break your oath." Indeed, We found him patient, an excellent servant. Indeed, he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allah].
This hadith is #151 from Sunan Abu Dawud, in the Book of Purification (Kitab Al-Taharah). It is graded Sahih and narrated by ‘Urwah b. al-Mughirah reported his father as saying :.