Sunan Abu Dawud #324

Purification (Kitab Al-Taharah)

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

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدٌ، - يَعْنِي ابْنَ جَعْفَرٍ - أَخْبَرَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ ذَرٍّ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ أَبْزَى، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَمَّارٍ، بِهَذِهِ الْقِصَّةِ فَقَالَ ‏ "‏ إِنَّمَا كَانَ يَكْفِيكَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ وَضَرَبَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِيَدِهِ إِلَى الأَرْضِ ثُمَّ نَفَخَ فِيهَا وَمَسَحَ بِهَا وَجْهَهُ وَكَفَّيْهِ شَكَّ سَلَمَةُ وَقَالَ لاَ أَدْرِي فِيهِ إِلَى الْمِرْفَقَيْنِ ‏.‏ يَعْنِي أَوْ إِلَى الْكَفَّيْنِ ‏.‏
This would have been enough for you, and the Prophet (ﷺ) struck the ground with his hand. He then blew it and wiped with it his face and hands. Being doubtful Salamah said: I do not know (whether he wiped) up to the elbows or the wrists.
Narrated by Ibn 'Abd al-Rahman b. Abza reported on the authority of his father this incident from 'Ammar. He said:

Context

This hadith describes an incident where the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) demonstrated the method of performing ablution (wudu) by striking the ground, blowing on it, and then wiping his face and hands. The action illustrates the simplicity and accessibility of purification practices in Islam. The takeaway is that the Prophet (ﷺ) emphasized that a simple act of purification is sufficient for worship.

Modern Application

In today's context, this hadith reminds us that performing wudu can be a straightforward process. Many people may overcomplicate their purification rituals, but this hadith encourages simplicity and ease, allowing individuals to focus on their prayers without unnecessary stress.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Purification (Wudu/Taharah) because it illustrates the method of performing wudu as demonstrated by the Prophet (ﷺ).

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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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عَبَسَ وَتَوَلَّىٰٓ
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But what would make you perceive, [O Muhammad], that perhaps he might be purified
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And he drew out his hand; thereupon it was white [with radiance] for the observers.

Common Words

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إلى3x
أو3x
وأيديكم2x
وإن2x
كنتم2x
من2x
يريد2x
ٱلله2x
عليكم2x
يأيها1x
ٱلذين1x
ءامنوا1x
إذا1x
قمتم1x
ٱلصلوة1x
فٱغسلوا1x
وجوهكم1x
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وٱمسحوا1x
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About Sunan Abu Dawud

This hadith is #324 from Sunan Abu Dawud, in the Book of Purification (Kitab Al-Taharah) and narrated by Ibn 'Abd al-Rahman b. Abza reported on the authority of his father this incident from 'Ammar. He said:.

About This Hadith