Ablution
46 hadiths
Purity is half of faith, al-hamdulillāh (praise be to Allah) fills the Scale, and subhānallāh wa al-hamdulillāh (glory and praise be to Allah) fills what is between the heavens and the earth
Abu Mālik al-Hārith ibn ‘Āsim al-Ash‘ari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Purity is half of faith, al-hamdulillāh (praise be to Allah) fills the Scale, and subhānallāh wa al-hamdulillāh (glory and praise be to Allah) fills what is between the heavens and the earth. Prayer is light, charity is proof, patience is radiance, and the Qur’an is an argument either for you or against you. Every person goes out in the morning and sells his soul; he either saves it from doom or throws it into destruction."
If anyone performs ablution like this ablution of mine and offers two Rak'ahs during which he does not think of anything else, Allah will forgive his past sins
Humrān, the freed slave of 'Uthmān ibn' Affān, reported that he saw 'Uthmān ibn' Affān asking (for water) to perform ablution, and he poured water from his vessel over his hands and washed them thrice and then put his right hand in the water and rinsed his mouth and washed his nose by putting water in it and then blowing it out. Then, he washed his face thrice and his forearms up to the elbows thrice. Then, he passed his wet hands over his head and washed each foot thrice. After that, he said: "I saw the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) perform ablution like this ablution of mine, and he said: 'If anyone performs ablution like this ablution of mine and offers two Rak'ahs during which he does not think of anything else, Allah will forgive his past sins.'"
Allah does not accept the prayer of any of you who is in the state of Hadath (minor ritual impurity) until he performs ablution
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah does not accept the prayer of any of you who is in the state of Hadath (minor ritual impurity) until he performs ablution."
Whoever performs ablution perfectly, his sins will come out from his body, to the extent that it will come out from under his nails
‘Uthmān ibn ‘Affān (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whoever performs ablution perfectly, his sins will come out from his body, to the extent that it will come out from under his nails."
Purity is half of faith, al-hamdulillāh (praise be to Allah) fills the Scale, and subhān Allah wa al-hamdulillāh (glory and praise be to Allah) fills what is between the heavens and the earth
Abu Mālik al-Ash‘ari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Purity is half of faith, al-hamdulillāh (praise be to Allah) fills the Scale, and subhān Allah wa al-hamdulillāh (glory and praise be to Allah) fills what is between the heavens and the earth. Prayer is light, charity is proof, patience is radiance, and the Qur’an is an argument either for you or against you. Every person goes out in the morning and sells his soul; he either saves it from doom or throws it into destruction."
Beware of negnot washing your heels properly, for not doing so can lead to them being burnt in the Hellfire! So, perform your ablution thoroughly
‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: We returned with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) from Makkah to Madīnah, and when we came to some water on the way, some of the people were in a hurry at the time of the ‘Asr prayer and performed ablution hurriedly; and when we reached them, their heels were dry, and no water had touched them. Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Beware of negnot washing your heels properly, for not doing so can lead to them being burnt in the Hellfire! So, perform your ablution thoroughly."
When any of you performs ablution, let him sniff water in his nose and then blow it out. Whoever cleans his private parts with stones, let him do so with an odd number of stones
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When any of you performs ablution, let him sniff water in his nose and then blow it out. Whoever cleans his private parts with stones, let him do so with an odd number of stones. Whoever wakes up from his sleep, let him wash his hand before putting it in the water container of ablution, for none of you knows where his hand was during his sleep." The wording of Muslim reads: "Whoever wakes up from his sleep, let him not put his hand in the water container until he washes it three times, for he does not know where his hand was during his sleep."
When you put on clothes and when you perform ablution, you should begin with your right side
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When you put on clothes and when you perform ablution, you should begin with your right side."
and performed ablution like that of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in front of them
Yahya ibn ‘Umārah al-Māzini reported: I witnessed 'Amr ibn Abi Hasan asking 'Abdullah ibn Zayd about the ablution of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), so he asked for a vessel of water and performed ablution like that of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in front of them. He poured water from the vessel on his hand, washing his hands thrice. Then, he put his hand inside the vessel, rinsed his mouth, sniffed water, and blew it out with three handfuls. He put his hand in the water again and washed his face thrice. Then, he washed his hands twice up to the elbows, after which he put his hand in the water and wiped over his head, bringing them to the front and the back of his head once. Then, he washed his feet up to the ankles.
Woe to the heel bones from the Hellfire
Abu Hurayrah, ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Amr, and ‘Ā'ishah (may Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Woe to the heel bones from the Hellfire!"
When any of you sleeps, the devil ties three knots at the back of his head, striking each knot: Ahead of you is a long night, so keep sleeping
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When any of you sleeps, the devil ties three knots at the back of his head, striking each knot: Ahead of you is a long night, so keep sleeping. When he wakes up and remembers Allah, one knot is undone; when he performs ablution, one knot is undone; and when he prays, one knot is undone, and he gets up in the morning active and in good spirits; otherwise, he gets up in the morning low-spirited and sluggish."
We used to prepare for the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) his tooth-stick and the water he used for making ablution. Then, Allah would awaken him whenever He willed during the night, and he would brush his teeth with the tooth-stick, make ablution, and perform prayer
‘Ā'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: We used to prepare for the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) his tooth-stick and the water he used for making ablution. Then, Allah would awaken him whenever He willed during the night, and he would brush his teeth with the tooth-stick, make ablution, and perform prayer.
Were it not that I would cause difficulty for my followers, I would command them to use the tooth-stick with every prayer
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Were it not that I would cause difficulty for my followers, I would command them to use the tooth-stick with every prayer.”
If any of you wakes up from his sleep, let him blow water out of his nose three times, as the devil spends the night on his nostrils
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If any of you wakes up from his sleep, let him blow water out of his nose three times, as the devil spends the night on his nostrils."
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) was performing ablution; he rinsed his mouth thrice and blew water out of his nose thrice. He then washed his face thrice and his right and left forearms thrice, then he took more water and wiped over his head, and then he washed his feet until he cleaned them
‘Abdullāh ibn Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that he saw the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) perform ablution; he rinsed his mouth thrice and blew water out of his nose thrice. He then washed his face thrice and his right and left forearms thrice, then he took more water and wiped over his head, and then he washed his feet until he cleaned them.
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) performed ablution and passed a wet hand on his forelock, over the turban, and over the two leather socks
Al-Mughīrah ibn Shu‘bah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) performed ablution and passed a wet hand on his forelock, over the turban, and over the two leather socks.
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to run the water around his elbows while performing ablution
Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to run the water around his elbows while performing ablution.
The prayer of a person who does not perform ablution is invalid, and the ablution of a person who does not mention the name of Allah is invalid
Abu Hurayrah reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The prayer of a person who does not perform ablution is invalid, and the ablution of a person who does not mention the name of Allah is invalid."
A man performed ablution and left a small part on his foot equal to the size of a nail unwashed. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) saw that and said: "Go back and perform your ablution properly." He performed it again and prayed
Jābir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb said to me: A man performed ablution and left a small part on his foot equal to the size of a nail unwashed. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) saw that and said: "Go back and perform your ablution properly." He performed it again and prayed.
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to take a ritual bath with one Sā‘ up to five Mudds, and he used to perform ablution with one Mudd
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to take a ritual bath with one Sā‘ up to five Mudds, and he used to perform ablution with one Mudd.
There is no Muslim who performs ablution well and then stands and prays two Rak‘ahs while focused on them with his heart and his face, except that Paradise will be guaranteed for him
‘Uqbah ibn ‘Āmir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: We were entrusted with the task of tending the camels. When I returned from my shift in the evening, I found the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) standing and addressing the people. I heard him saying: "There is no Muslim who performs ablution well and then stands and prays two Rak‘ahs while focused on them with his heart and his face, except that Paradise will be guaranteed for him." I said: "What a fine thing this is!" Thereupon, I heard someone in front of me saying: "What he said before it was even finer." I looked and it was ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb, who said: "I see that you have just come." He said: "If anyone of you performs ablution thoroughly and then says, 'I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the servant and Messenger of Allah', the eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him and he may enter from whichever of them he wishes."
The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) kissed some of his wives, and then went out for prayer without making ablution
‘Urwah reported that ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) kissed some of his wives, and then went out for prayer without making ablution.” ‘Urwah said to her: "Who is she, if not you?" So she laughed.
Is it not but a piece of him
Talq ibn ‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: We went to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and a man, who seemed to be a Bedouin, came forward and said: "O Prophet, what do you say regarding the man who touches his penis after making ablution?" The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Is it not but a piece of him." Or he said: "a part of him."
O ‘Ā'ishah, indeed, my eyes sleep but my heart does not sleep
Abu Salamah ibn ‘Abdur-Rahmān (may Allah have mercy upon him) reported that he asked ‘Ā'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) how the Prophet's prayer was in Ramadan. She said: "Neither in Ramadan, nor in any other month, did the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) exceed the eleven Rak‘ahs of prayer. He would pray four – and do not ask about their beauty and length; then he would pray another four, and do not ask about their beauty and length either, then he would pray three." ‘Ā'ishah then added: "I asked him: 'O Messenger of Allah, do you sleep before performing the Witr prayer?' he said: 'O ‘Ā'ishah, indeed, my eyes sleep but my heart does not sleep.'"
The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) used to perform ablution upon every prayer
‘Amr ibn ‘Āmir related that Anas ibn Mālik reported: The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) used to perform ablution upon every prayer. I asked: "What did you guys use to do?" He said: "Ablution would remain valid for any of us until he broke it."
The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) performed ablution by washing the body parts once
Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) performed ablution by washing the body parts once.
The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) performed ablution by washing the body parts twice
‘Abdullāh ibn Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) performed ablution by washing the body parts twice.
If one of you feels something in his stomach and doubts whether he released some wind or not, he should not leave the mosque unless he hears a sound or smells an odor
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If one of you feels something in his stomach and doubts whether he released some wind or not, he should not leave the mosque unless he hears a sound or smells an odor."
The ornament of the believer will reach as far as his ablution reaches
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "My followers will be called on the Day of Resurrection with radiant foreheads and feet from the traces of ablution." So whoever can increase the area of his radiance should do so. And in a wording by Muslim: "I saw Abu Hurayrah performing ablution. He washed his face, then his arms until he almost reached the shoulders, and then he washed his feet up to the shins, and said: ‘I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: 'My followers will be called on the Day of Resurrection with radiant foreheads and feet from the traces of ablution.' So whoever can increase the area of his radiance should do so.'" And in another wording by Muslim: "I heard my close friend (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: ‘The adornment of the believer will reach as far as his ablution reaches.'"
In the time of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) we would not find such food except rarely. So if we found it, we had no napkins except our palms, forearms, and feet. Then we would pray without making (a new) ablution
Sa‘īd ibn al-Hārith asked Jābir (may Allah be pleased with him) on making ablution after eating food that was touched by fire. He said: "No. in the time of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) we would not find such food except rarely. So if we found it, we had no napkins except our palms, forearms, and feet. Then we would pray without making (a new) ablution.''
This is how the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) performed ablution
‘Abd Khayr reported: ‘Ali ibn Abi Tālib (may Allah be pleased with him) came to us after he had prayed. He asked for water and we said: "What is he going to do with the water as he has (already) prayed? He only wants to teach us." A container of water and a basin were brought to him. He poured some water onto his right hand and washed his hands three times. Then he rinsed his mouth and nose three times, using the hand with which he took the water. Then he washed his face three times and he washed his right arm three times and his left arm three times. Then he put his hand in the container and wiped his head once. Then he washed his right foot three times and his left foot three times. Then he said: 'Whoever wanted to learn how the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) performed ablution, this is it.
Perform ablution thoroughly, pass your fingers through each other, and sniff water well into your nose unless you are fasting
Laqīt ibn Sabirah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I was the leader of or among the delegation of Banu al-Muntafiq that came to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). When we arrived, we did not find him in his house. We found ‘Ā’ishah, the Mother of the Believers, there. He said: She ordered that a dish called Khazīrah be prepared for us, and it was. He said: And a tray containing dates was presented to us. Then, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) came and asked: "Has anything been served to you or ordered for you?" He said: We replied: Yes, O Messenger of Allah. He said: While we were sitting in the company of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), a shepherd suddenly drove his herd of sheep to their fold. He had with him a newly-born lamb that was crying. He (the Prophet) asked him: "What did it bear, O so-and-so?" He replied: An ewe. He said: "Slaughter for us a sheep in place of it." Then, he said: "Do not think that we are slaughtering it for you. We have one hundred sheep and we do not want their number to increase. So, whenever an ewe is born, we slaughter a sheep in its place." He said: I said: O Messenger of Allah, I have a wife who has something (wrong) in her tongue, i.e., she is foul-mouthed. He said: "Then divorce her." I said: O Messenger of Allah, we have been together for a long time, and I have children from her. He said: "Then, command her," meaning: advise her. "If there is goodness in her, she will comply. And do not beat your wife as you beat your slave-girl." I said: O Messenger of Allah, tell me about ablution. He said: "Perform ablution thoroughly, pass your fingers through each other, and sniff water well into your nose unless you are fasting."
I saw ‘Ammār ibn Yāsir perform ablution, and he ran his fingers through his beard. It was said to him (or he said: I said to him): Do you run your fingers through your beard? He replied: What is there to prevent me if I have seen the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) run his fingers through his beard?
Hassān ibn Bilāl reported: I saw ‘Ammār ibn Yāsir perform ablution, and he ran his fingers through his beard. It was said to him (or he said: "I said to him"): "Do you run your fingers through your beard?" He replied: "What is there to prevent me if I have seen the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) run his fingers through his beard?"
Two-thirds of a Mudd were brought to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and he began rubbing his arm
‘Abdullāh ibn Zayd reported that two-thirds of a Mudd were brought to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and he began rubbing his arm.
During the Prophet's lifetime, the Companions used to wait for the ‘Ishā' prayer so much so their heads were lowered down (by dozing). They would then pray without performing (a new) ablution
Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that during the Prophet's lifetime, the Companions used to wait for the ‘Ishā' prayer so much so their heads were lowered down (by dozing). They would then pray without performing (a new) ablution.
Whoever touches his penis should make ablution
‘Urwah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I once entered upon Marawān ibn al-Hakam, and we discussed the things that, if one does them, he needs to make ablution (ablution). Marawān said: "And touching the penis?" I said: "I do not know about that." Marawān said: "Busrah bint Safwān told me that she heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: 'Whoever touches his penis should make ablution.'"
He asked: May I pray in the sheepfolds? He replied: Yes. He then asked: May I pray where camels sit? He replied: No
Jābir ibn Samurah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that a man asked the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): "Should I perform ablution after eating the meat of sheep or goats?" He replied: "If you wish, perform ablution, and if you do not, then do not perform it." The man then asked: "Should I perform ablution after eating camel meat?" He replied: "Yes, perform ablution after eating camel meat." The man again asked: "May I pray in the sheepfolds?" He replied: 'Yes.' He then asked: "May I pray where camels sit?" He replied: 'No.'
The one who washes the dead should take a bath, and the one who carries him should perform ablution
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The one who washes the dead should take a bath, and the one who carries him should perform ablution."
إني كرهت أن أذكر الله عز وجل إلا على طهر
عن المهاجر بن قنفذ أنه أتى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وهو يبول، فسلم عليه، فلم يرد عليه حتى توضأ، ثم اعتذر إليه فقال: "إني كرهت أن أذكر الله عز وجل إلا على طهر" أو قال: "على طهارة".
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to perform Ghusl (ritual bath) from Janābah (major ritual impurity) using one Sā‘ of water, and he would perform Wudū’ (ablution) with one Mudd
Safīnah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to perform Ghusl (ritual bath) from Janābah (major ritual impurity) using one Sā‘ of water, and he would perform Wudū’ (ablution) with one Mudd.
عمدًا صنعتُه يا عمر
عن بريدة أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم صلى الصلوات يوم الفتح بوضوء واحد، ومسح على خفيه. فقال له عمر: لقد صنعت اليوم شيئًا لم تكن تصنعه، قال: «عمدًا صنعتُه يا عمر».
أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أكل عندها كتفًا ثم صلى ولم يتوضأ
عن ميمونة أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أكل عندها كتفًا ثم صلى ولم يتوضأ.
أقيمت الصلاة والنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يناجي رجلًا في جانب المسجد
عن أنس بن مالك قال: أقيمت الصلاة والنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يناجي رجلًا في جانب المسجد، فما قام إلى الصلاة حتى نام القوم.
Verily, the two eyes (when awake) are the string that ties up the anus, but when the two eyes sleep, the string is untied
Mu‘āwiyah ibn Abu Sufyān (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Verily, the two eyes (when awake) are the string that ties up the anus, but when the two eyes sleep, the string is untied."
Whoever performs ablution like this, his previous sins will be forgiven
‘Uthmān ibn ‘Affān (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I saw the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) performing ablution the way I have just done it and then he said: "Whoever performs ablution like this, his previous sins will be forgiven and his prayer and walking to the mosque will be considered as supererogatory acts of worship."
When a Muslim—or a believer—performs ablution, and he washes his face, every sin he has looked at with his eyes comes out of his face with the water or with the last drop of water
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "When a Muslim—or a believer—performs ablution, and he washes his face, every sin he has looked at with his eyes comes out of his face with the water or with the last drop of water. When he washes his hands, every sin he has struck with his hands comes out of his hands with the water or with the last drop of water. When he washes his feet, every sin his feet walked towards comes out with the water or with the last drop of water—until he comes out cleansed of sins."