Mishkat al-Masabih

Abu Malik al-Ash‘ari reported God’s messenger as saying, “Being purified is half of faith, saying ‘Praise be to God’ fills the scale, saying ‘Glory be to God’ and ‘Praise be to God' fill or fills* the space between the heavens and the earth, prayer is a light, sadaqa is a proof , endurance is a shining glory, and the Qur’an is a proof on your behalf or against you. All men go out early and sell themselves, thereby setting themselves free or destroying themselves.” *An alternative reading is given in the text, the first feminine dual and the second feminine singular. Muslim transmitted it. A version has, “Saying ‘There is no god but God’ and ‘God is most great’ fills the space between heaven and earth.” I did not find this version in the two Sahihs, in al-Humaidi's book but Darimi mentioned it in place of “Glory be to God and Praise be to God.”

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “Shall I not guide you to something for which God blots out sins and raises men's ranks?” When his hearers expressed their desire that he should tell them, he said, “Performing complete ablution although circumstances make it difficult, travelling far to mosques, and looking expectantly to the next time of prayer after prayers have been said. That is the defence of the frontier.”* The tradition of Malik b. Anas has, “That is the defence of the frontier; that is the defence of the frontier. He repeated it twice.” *Here meant in a spiritual sense, as a defence against infidelity and wrongdoing. Muslim transmitted it. Tirmidhi’s version has thrice.

‘Uthman reported God’s messenger as saying, “If anyone performs the ablution well, his sins will come out from his body, even coming out from under his nails.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “When a Muslim, or a believer, washes his face in the course of ablution, every sin he contemplated with his eyes will come forth from his face along with the water, or with the last drop of water; when he washes his hands, every sin they wrought will come forth from his hands with the water, or with the last drop of water; and when he washes his feet, every sin towards which his feet have walked will come out with the water, or with the last drop of water, with the result that he will come forth pure from offences.” Muslim transmitted it.

‘Uthman reported God’s messenger as saying, “When the time for a prescribed prayer comes, if any Muslim observes proper ablution, humility and bowing, it will be an expiation for his past sins, so long as he has not committed a major sin; and that means for all time.” Muslim transmitted it.

‘Uthman performed ablution, pouring water over his hands three times, then rinsing his mouth and snuffing up water, then washing his face three times, then washing his right arm up to the elbow three times, then washing his left arm up to the elbow three times, then wiping his head, then washing his right foot three times, then the left three times. He then said, “I have seen God’s messenger performing ablution as I have done it just now,” adding, “If anyone performs ablution as I have done, then prays two rak'as* without allowing his thoughts to be distracted, his past offences will be forgiven him.” *A section of the daily prayers. Each time of prayer has a specified number of rak'as (Bukhari and Muslim, the wording being Bukhari’s.)

‘Uqba b. 'Amir reported God’s messenger as saying, “If any Muslim performs ablution well, then stands and prays two rak'as, setting about their performance both inwardly and outwardly, he will be guaranteed paradise.” Muslim transmitted it.

‘Umar b. al-Khattab reported, God's messenger as saying, “If anyone performs the ablution completely*, then says, ‘I testify that there in no god but God and that Muhammad is His servant and messenger’ (a version giving, ‘I testify that there is no god but God alone who has no partner, and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and messenger’), the eight gates of paradise will be opened for him and he may enter by whichever of them he wishes." *The text has alternative words here, fa-yublighu au fa-yusbighu. Thus Muslim transmitted it in his Sahih, and al-Humaidi among the traditions given by Muslim but not by Bukhari, as also did Ibn al-Athir in Jami' al-usul. The Shaikh Muhyi ad-Din an-Nawawi mentioned it at the end of Muslim’s traditions as we have transmitted it. Tirmidhi added, “O God, put me among the penitent, and put me among those who are purified." The tradition, “He who performs ablution and does it well" which Muhyi as-Sunna transmitted among the sound ones is transmitted identically by Tirmidhi in his Jami' except for “I testify" before the words "that Muhammad."

Abu Huraira reported God's messenger as saying, "My people will be summoned on the day of resurrection with white faces and hands and feet from the marks of ablution. If any of you can extend his brightness, let him do so." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

He also reported God’s messenger as saying, “In a believer adornments will reach the places which ablution reaches." Muslim transmitted it.

Thauban reported God’s messenger as saying, “Keep to the straight path, which you will not be able to do, know that your best action is prayer and that only a believer observes ablution carefully." Malik, Ahmad, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Umar reported God's messenger as saying, “He who performs ablution when in a state of purity will have ten blessings recorded for him.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Jabir reported God’s messenger as saying, “The key of paradise is prayer, and the key of prayer is being purified." Ahmad transmitted it.

Shabib b. Abu Rauh reported on the authority of one of the companions of God’s messenger that God’s messenger prayed the morning prayer and recited Ar-Rum*, but became confused about it. When he finished the prayer he said, “What is the matter with people who pray along with us without performing the purification properly? It is only those who cause us confusion about the Qur’an.” *Qur’an, xxx. Nasa’i transmitted it.

God's messenger counted them in my hand, or in his hand, saying, “The glorifying of God is half the scale, ‘Praise be to God’ fills it, ‘God is most great’ fills the space between heaven and earth, fasting is the half of endurance, and being purified is half of faith.” Tirmidhi transmitted it and said that this is a hasan tradition.

‘Abdallah as-Sunabihi reported God’s messenger as saying, “When a believer performs ablution, then rinses his mouth, the sins go out from his mouth; when he snuffs up water, the sins go out from his nose; when he washes his face, the sins go out from his face so that they go out from under his eyelashes; when he washes his hands, the sins go out from his hands so that they go out from under his fingernails; when he wipes his head, the sins go out from his head so that they go out from his ears; and when he washes his feet, the sins go out from his feet so that they go out from under his toenails. Then his walking to the mosque and his prayer will provide extra blessings for him.” Malik and Nasa’i transmitted it.

Abu Huraira told of God’s messenger coming to the cemetery and saying, “Peace be upon you, believing ones, and if God will we shall join you. I wish we had seen our brethren.” He was asked, “Are we not your brethren, messenger of God?” and replied, “You are my companions; our brethren are those who have not yet been born.” They asked, “How will you recognise those members of your people who have not yet been born, messenger of God?” He said, “Tell me; supposing a man had horses with white blazes and white marks on their legs among horses which were pure black, would he not recognise his own horses?” They replied, “Certainly, messenger of God.” He said, “They will come with white faces and arms and legs owing to ablution, and I will arrive at the Tank before them.” Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Darda’ reported God’s messenger as saying, “I shall be the first to be permitted to prostrate himself on the day of resurrection, and I shall be the first to be permitted to raise his head. I shall then look at what is in front of me and recognise my people among the peoples; and I shall do the same behind me, on my right hand and on my left.” A man asked, “How will you recognise your people among the peoples from Noah’s time onwards?” and he replied, “They will have white faces, arms and legs owing to the mark of ablution, no others being like that. I shall recognise them because they will be given their books in their right hands, and I shall recognise them with their offspring running before them.” Ahmad transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God's messenger as saying, “The prayer of one who has voided excrement will not be accepted until he performs ablution.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Ibn ‘Umar reported God’s messenger as saying, “Prayer without purification is not accepted, neither is sadaqa from the profits of un­ faithful dealing.” Muslim transmitted it.

My prostatic fluid flowed readily, and I was ashamed to consult the Prophet because of the position of his daughter so I gave orders to al-Miqdad to consult him, and the Prophet said, “He must wash his penis and perform ablution.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Huraira said that he heard God’s messenger say, “Perform ablution because of anything which has been touched by fire.” Muslim transmitted it. The illustrious shaikh and imam Muhyi as-Sunna said that this is abrogated by the tradition of Ibn ‘Abbas who said that God’s messenger ate a shoulder of mutton, then prayed without performing ablution. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Jabir b. Samura said that a man asked God’s messenger whether they should perform ablution after eating mutton and he replied, “You may perform ablution or not, as you wish.” He asked if they should perform ablution after eating camel flesh and he replied, “Yes, perform ablution after eating camel flesh.” He then asked whether he might say prayers in sheepfolds and he replied, “Yes”; but when he asked whether he might say prayers in places where camels lie down, he replied, “No.” Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “If any of you has a pain in his abdomen, but is doubtful whether or not anything has issued from him, he should not leave the mosque unless he hears a sound or perceives a smell.” Muslim transmitted it.

‘Abdallah b. ‘Abbas said that God’s messenger drank some milk and rinsed his mouth saying, “It contains greasiness.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Buraida said that God’s messenger prayed the prayers on the day of the Conquest with one ablution and wiped over his shoes. ‘Umar said, “You have done something today that you have not been accustomed to do.” He replied, “I have done it purposely, ‘Umar.” Muslim transmitted it.

Suwaid b. an-Nu‘man said that he went out with God’s messenger in the year of Khaibar , and when they were at as-Sahba’ which is very near Khaibar, he prayed the afternoon prayer. He then called for food, and when only some flour was produced, he ordered it to be moistened; then God’s messenger and the company ate. After that he got up to pray the sunset prayer, and when he and the company had rinsed their mouths he prayed without performing ablution. Bukhari transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “No ablution is necessary except when one makes a sound or breaks wind.” Ahmad and Tirmidhi transmitted it.

I asked the Prophet about prostatic fluid and he replied, “For prostatic fluid ablution is necessary, but for seminal emission washing.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

He also reported God's messenger as saying, “The key of prayer is purification, saying ‘God is most great’ makes it a sacred state, and the salutation brings the sacred state to an end.” Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi and Darimi transmitted it, and Ibn Majah transmitted it both from 'Ali and from Abu Sa'id.

‘Ali b. Talq reported God’s messenger as saying, “When any of you breaks wind he should perform ablution, and you must not have intercourse with women by their buttocks.” Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Mu'awiya b. Abu Sufyan reported the Prophet as saying, “The eyes are the leather strap of the anus, and when the eye sleeps the leather strap is loosened.” Darimi transmitted it.

‘Ali reported God's messenger as saying, “The leather strap of the anus is the eyes, so one who sleeps should perform ablution. Abu Dawud transmitted it, and the shaikh and imam Muhyi as-Sunna said that this does not refer to one who is sitting because of the sound tradition from Anas who said that the Companions of God’s messenger dozed while waiting for nightfall, then prayed without performing ablution. Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi transmitted it, but Tirmidhi said “they slept” instead of saying that they “dozed while waiting for nightfall.”

Ibn ‘Abbas reported God’s messenger as saying, “Ablution is necessary for one who sleeps lying down, for when he lies down his joints are relaxed.” Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Busra daughter of Safwan b. Naufal reported God’s messenger as saying, “If any of you touches his penis he must perform ablution.” Malik, Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Nasa’i, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it.

Talq b. ‘Ali said that God’s messenger was asked about a man touching his penis after performing ablution, and replied, “What is it but a part of him?” Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi and Nasa’i transmitted it, and Ibn Majah transmitted something similar. The shaikh and imam Muhyi as-Sunna said that this is abrogated because Abu Huraira accepted Islam after Talq came, and Abu Huraira has transmitted from God’s messenger the saying, “If anyone touches his penis with his hand, nothing coming between them, he must perform ablution.” Shafi‘i and Daraqutni transmitted it, and Nasa’i transmitted it from Busra, but did not include “nothing between them.”

‘A’isha said that the Prophet used to kiss one of his wives and then pray without performing ablution. Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Nasa’i and Ibn Majah transmitted it. Tirmidhi said, “The isnad ‘Urwa from ‘A'isha is in no way sound in the opinion of our friends,* and the same applies to the isnad Ibrahim at-Taimi from her.” Abu Dawud said that this is mursal and that Ibrahim at-Taimi never heard from ‘A'isha. *This must apply to this particular tradition, as ‘Urwa is a recognised transmitter from ‘A'isha

Ibn ‘Abbas said that God's messenger ate a shoulder, and after wiping his hand with a cloth on which he was sitting, he got up and prayed. Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Umm Salama said, “I offered the Prophet a roasted flank and he ate some of it, then rose to pray without performing ablution.” Ahmad transmitted it.

Abu Rafi' said, “I testify that I was roasting the inside of a sheep for God’s messenger, then he prayed without performing ablution.” Muslim transmitted it.

He also said that a sheep was presented to him and he put it in the pot. God’s messenger came in and asked, “What is this, Abu Rafi'?” He replied, “It is a sheep which has been presented to us, and I have cooked it in the pot.” He said, “Hand me the foreleg, Abu Rafi‘,” and he did so. He then said, “Hand me the other foreleg,” and he did so. He then said, “Hand me the other foreleg,” whereupon Abu Rafi‘ ex­ postulated that a sheep has only two forelegs. God’s messenger replied, “If you had remained silent, you would have handed me one foreleg after another as long as you kept silence.” He then called for water, rinsed his mouth and washed the tips of his fingers, after which he got up and prayed. Later he returned to them and finding that they had cold meat, he ate some, after which he entered the mosque and prayed without touching water. Ahmad transmitted it, and Darimi transmitted it from Abu ‘Ubaid, but did not include the passage from “He then called for water” to the end.

Ubayy, Abu Talha and I sat and ate some meat and bread, after which I called for water to perform ablution. They asked, “Why are you performing ablution?” and I replied that it was because of this food which we had eaten. They said, “Do you perform ablution after eating things which are good? He who was better than you did not perform ablution on that account.” Ahmad transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Umar used to say, “A man’s kiss to his wife and his touching her with his hand are connected with sexual intercourse, and anyone who kisses his wife or touches her with his hand must perform ablution.” Malik and Shafi‘i transmitted it.

Ibn Mas'ud used to say, “Ablution is necessary when a man kisses his wife.” Malik transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Umar reported ‘Umar b. al-Khattab as saying, “A kiss is connected with sexual intercourse, so perform ablution on that account.”

‘Umar b. ‘Abd al-‘Aziz told on the authority of Tamim ad-Dari that God’s messenger said, “Ablution must be performed on account of any flow of blood.” Daraqutni transmitted the two traditions, saying that ‘Umar b. ‘Abd al-‘Aziz neither heard from Tamim ad-Dari nor saw him, and that Yazid b. Khalid and Yazid b. Muhammad* are unknown. *These men occur in the isnad.

Abu Ayyub al-Ansari reported God’s messenger as saying, "When you go to the toilet neither face nor turn your back to the qibla , but turn towards the east or the west.” (Bukhari and Muslim.) The shaikh and imam Muhyi as-Sunna said that this tradition applies to the desert, but that in a built-up area it does not matter, on account of what is transmitted from ‘Abdallah b. ‘Umar who said, "I went up to the roof of Hafsa’s house for some purpose and saw God's messenger relieving himself facing Syria, with his back to the qibla.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Salman said, “He (meaning God’s messenger) forbade us to face the qibla when easing ourselves or passing water, or to wipe ourselves with the right hand, or to wipe ourselves with less than three stones, or to wipe ourselves with dung or bone.” Muslim transmitted it.

Anas reported that when God’s messenger entered the privy he used to say, "O God, I seek refuge in Thee from male and female devils.”* *One might be inclined to translate this phrase as "from infidelity and act of disobedience,” but the tradition from Zaid b. Arqam (p. 76) is very explicit, and so the translation above is probably the correct one. PT-2 (12-71.) (Bukhari and Muslim).

Ibn ‘Abbas told that the Prophet came upon two graves and said, "Their occupants are being punished, but not for a great sin. One of them did not keep himself from being defiled by urine. (A version by Muslim has "did not keep himself undefiled by urine”.) The other went about spreading slander.” He then took a fresh palm branch, split it in two parts, and planted one on each grave. On being asked why he did this, he said, "Perhaps their punishment may be mitigated as long as they remain fresh.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)