"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) sent Usaid bin Hudair and some other people to look for a necklace that 'Aishah had left behind in a place where she had stopped (while traveling). The time for prayer came and they did not have Wudu', and they could not find any water, so they prayed without Wudu'. They mentioned that to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and Allah, the Mighty and Sublime revealed the verse of Tayammum. Usaid bin Hudair said: 'May Allah reward you with good, for by Allah, nothing ever happened to you that you dislike, but Allah makes it good for you and the Muslims.'"
Narrated by It was narrated that 'Aishah said:
Context
Aishah narrates an incident where the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ sent companions to retrieve a necklace she had lost. When they prayed without Wudu due to the lack of water, the Prophet ﷺ received a revelation allowing Tayammum. This event illustrates the adaptability of Islamic practices to accommodate unforeseen circumstances and the compassion of the Prophet ﷺ towards his followers.
Modern Application
This principle highlights the importance of flexibility and understanding in religious practices. It encourages individuals to seek alternatives when faced with challenges, ensuring that worship remains accessible and meaningful.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Prayer and Purification (Wudu/Taharah) because it discusses the allowance of Tayammum in the absence of water for 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.
Then one of the two women came to him walking with shyness. She said, "Indeed, my father invites you that he may reward you for having watered for us." So when he came to him and related to him the story, he said, "Fear not. You have escaped from the wrongdoing people."
It was not [proper] for the people of Madinah and those surrounding them of the bedouins that they remain behind after [the departure of] the Messenger of Allah or that they prefer themselves over his self. That is because they are not afflicted by thirst or fatigue or hunger in the cause of Allah, nor do they tread on any ground that enrages the disbelievers, nor do they inflict upon an enemy any infliction but that is registered for them as a righteous deed. Indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of the doers of good.
[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 #324 from Sunan an-Nasa'i, in the Book of The Book of Purification. It is graded Hasan and narrated by It was narrated that 'Aishah said:.