"I said: 'O Messenger of Allah! How is Wudu' done?' He said: 'As for Wudu', when you perform Wudu', and you wash your hands to clean them, your sins come out from between your fingers and fingertips. When you rinse your mouth and nostrils, and wash your face and hands up to the elbows, and wipe your head, and wash your feet up to the ankles, you are cleansed of all your sins. When you prostrate your face to Allah, may He be exalted, you emerge from your sins like the day your mother bore you.'" Abu Umamah said: "I said: 'O 'Amr bin 'Abasah! Look at what you are saying! Was all of that given in one sitting? He said: 'By Allah, I have grown old, my appointed time is near and I am not so poor that I should tell lies about the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). I heard it with my own ears and understood it in my heart from the Messenger of Allah.'"
Narrated by 'Amr bin 'Abasah said:
Context
In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) explains the significance of performing Wudu' (ablution) correctly. He describes how each action taken during Wudu' serves to cleanse the individual of sins, emphasizing the spiritual renewal that occurs through this practice. The hadith highlights the transformative power of Wudu', equating its completion to being free from sins, akin to the purity of a newborn.
Modern Application
When performing Wudu', individuals can reflect on the cleansing of not just the body but also the soul. This practice encourages mindfulness and intention, allowing one to approach prayer with a purified heart and mind. In daily life, this can serve as a reminder to seek forgiveness and strive for personal growth.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Reward of Deeds and Purification (Wudu/Taharah) because it illustrates the connection between the physical act of Wudu' and the spiritual reward of being cleansed from sins.
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.
سُورَةُ عَبَسَ
Abasa (He frowned)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
وَمَا يُدْرِيكَ لَعَلَّهُۥ يَزَّكَّىٰٓ
But what would make you perceive, [O Muhammad], that perhaps he might be purified
And abide in your houses and do not display yourselves as [was] the display of the former times of ignorance. And establish prayer and give zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah intends only to remove from you the impurity [of sin], O people of the [Prophet's] household, and to purify you with [extensive] purification.
And they ask you about menstruation. Say, "It is harm, so keep away from wives during menstruation. And do not approach them until they are pure. And when they have purified themselves, then come to them from where Allah has ordained for you. Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves."