"Can you show me how the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to perform Wudu'?" 'Abdullah bin Zaid said: "Yes. He called for (water for) Wudu' and poured some onto his right hand, washing his hands twice. Then he rinsed his mouth and nose three times, then washed his face three times, then he washed his hands twice, up to the elbows. Then he wiped his head with his hands, back and forth, starting at the front of his head and moving his hands to the nape of his neck, then bringing them back to the place he started. Then he washed his feet."
Narrated by It was narrated from 'Amr bin Yahya that his father said to 'Abdullah bin Zaid bin 'Asim - who was one of the Companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) and the grandfather of 'Amr bin Yahya:
Context
This hadith recounts how Abdullah bin Zaid demonstrated the method of Wudu' (ablution) as practiced by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). The detailed description of the steps taken during Wudu' serves as a guide for Muslims on how to purify themselves before prayer. This practice is essential in Islam, as it prepares the individual spiritually and physically for the act of worship.
Modern Application
In contemporary life, performing Wudu' is a ritual that many Muslims engage in daily before prayers. It serves as a moment of mindfulness, allowing individuals to pause and prepare themselves spiritually, reinforcing the connection between physical cleanliness and spiritual readiness.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Prayer and Purification (Wudu/Taharah) because it outlines the steps of Wudu', which is a prerequisite for the performance of Salah.
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.
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.
This hadith is #98 from Sunan an-Nasa'i, in the Book of The Book of Purification. It is graded Sahih and narrated by It was narrated from 'Amr bin Yahya that his father said to 'Abdullah bin Zaid bin 'Asim - who was one of the Companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) and the grandfather of 'Amr bin Yahya:.