Fiqh & Virtues of Wudhu (Ablution)

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The Fiqh of Wudhu - taken from Taalemul-Haqq (Inter-Islam)

 

 

WUDHU AND GHUSL IS ALLOWED WITH THE FOLLOWING WATER :- 

1. Rain water. 

2. Well water. 

3. Spring, sea or river water. 

4. Water of melting snow or hail. 

5. Water of a big tank or pond. 

 

Water left over after drinking by human beings, Halaal animals and Halaal birds (e.g. cows, goats, pigeons) is TAAHIR (clean). 

 

 

WUDHU AND GHUSL IS NOT ALLOWED WITH THE FOLLOWING WATER:- 

1. All NAJIS or Napaak water. 

2. Water extracted from fruit and trees. 

3. Water that has changed it's colour, taste and smell and becomes thick because something was soaked in it. 

4. Small quantity of water in which something NAJIS has fallen, e.g. Urine, blood, stool or wine or some animal had died after falling into it. 

6. Water left over after drinking by HARAAM animals, e.g. dogs, pigs or animals of prey. 

7. Water, which a cat drinks immediately after eating a mouse, is NAJIS. 

8. Water left by a person who has just drunk wine is NAJIS.

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THE NIYYAT (Intention)

 

It is SUNNAT to make the NIYYAT for WUDHU. 

 

For Wudhu one should make the Niyyat at heart that I am performing Wudhu to get rid of HADASE ASGAR. 

HADASE-ASGHAR: Means the need of Wudhu.

 

 

METHOD OF WUDHU

Using TAHIR (clean) water FIRST wash BOTH the HANDS upto the WRISTS THREE times. 

 

Use a MISWAAK for cleaning the teeth and then GARGLE the mouth THREE times. 
It is SUNNAT to make MISWAAK during WUDHU. By using Miswaak the reward of a NAMAAZ increases 70 times. 

 

Thereafter take water upto the NOSTRILS THREE times with the RIGHT hand and clean the nose with the LEFT hand.

Then wash your FACE THREE times. Wash from the hairy part of the forehead to below the chin and from one ear lobe to the other.

Then make KHILAL of the BEARD.

Thereafter wash the RIGHT HAND INCLUDING the ELBOWS THREE times.

Then wash the LEFT HAND INCLUDING the ELBOWS thrice.

Then make KHILAL of the FINGERS.

 

Thereafter wet the hands and pass them over the head, ears and nape. This must be done ONCE only. It is known as MASAH. 

 

MASAH

WET THE HANDS AND FINGERS 

 

Keep THREE fingers of each hand together (middle finger, ring finger and little finger). 

 

Keep thumb and index finger raised (away). 

Keep thumb, index finger and palm away from the head. 

Pass the three fingers from the forehead to the upper portion of the nape. 

Then place the palm on the sides of the head and bring forward to forehead. 

Then insert the front portion of the index finger into the openings of the ear. 

Then make Masah behind the ears with the inner part of the thumb. 

Make Masah of the nape with the back of the middle finger, ring finger and the little finger. 

 

Then wash BOTH the FEET INCLUDING the ANKLES THREE times. First the RIGHT  and then the LEFT foot. 

First wash the RIGHT FOOT including the ankle then make KHILAL and of the TOES. 

 

N.B. Use the LEFT HAND for KHILAL  of toes and washing of the feet. 

Then wash the LEFT FOOT including the ankle and then make KHILAL  of the TOES.

 

 

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THERE ARE 4 FARAAIDH OF WUDHU (Compulsory Acts)

NB. If a FARDH is left out the WUDHU is INCOMPLETE.

 

1. Washing the FACE from the FOREHEAD to the LOWER portion of the CHIN and from one EAR LOBE to the other. 

2. Washing of BOTH the ARMS INCLUDING the ELBOWS ONCE 

3. Doing MASAH of a QUARTER of the HEAD ONCE. 

4. Washing of BOTH the FEET INCLUDING the ANKLES ONCE. 

 

N.B. If any of the FARAA’ID are left out or a HAIRS BREADTH place is left DRY the wudhu will be INCOMPLETE.

 

 

 

THERE ARE 13 SUNNATS IN WUDHU

 If a SUNNAT is left out the WUDHU is COMPLETE but the full SAWAAB of Wudhu is not gained. 

 

1. Niyyat (intention) 

2. Reciting of BISMILLAH. 

3. Washing of the hands thrice upto the wrists. 

4. Brushing the teeth by MISWAAK. 

5. Gargling three times. 

6. Passing water into the nostrils thrice. 

7. KHILAL i.e. to pass wet fingers into the beard. 

8. KHILAL of the fingers and toes. 

9. Washing of each part THREE times. 

10. MASAH of the whole head ONCE. 

11. MASAH of both the ears  ONCE. 

12. Wudhu done SYSTEMATICALLY. 

13. Washing of each part one after the other without pause, so no part dries up before the Wudhu is completed.

 

 

THERE ARE 5 MUSTAHABBAAT IN WUDHU

Carrying out a MUSTAHAB act brings SAWAAB or reward but no sin if left out. 

 

The items MUSTAHAB in WUDHU are: 

 

 1. To begin from the RIGHT. 

 2. To make Masah of the nape. 

 3. Not to take ASSISTANCE from anyone. 

 4. To face the QIBLA. 

 5. To sit on a high and clean place. 

 

 

THERE ARE 4 MAKROOHAAT IN WUDHU

 Committing of a MAKROOH act in Wudhu causes the full BLESSING of Wudhu to be lost although the Wudhu will not have to be REPEATED. 

 

The items MAKROOH in WUDHU are: 

 

 1. To make Wudhu in a DIRTY PLACE. 

 2. To clean the nose with the RIGHT HAND. 

 3. To talk of WORLDLY AFFAIRS. 

 4. To do WUDHU against the SUNNAT.

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THERE ARE 8 NAWAQISE IN WUDHU 

 

EIGHT things NULLIFY (break) the WUDHU. They are called NAWAQISE (breakers of) WUDHU. 

 

1. Discharging of URINE, STOOL or the coming out of anything from the PRIVATE PARTS. 

2. Discharging of GASES. 

3. VOMITING in MOUTHFUL. 

4. To fall ASLEEP lying down or by resting the body against something. 

5. To FAINT due to some illness or any other reason. 

6. Becoming INSANE or going MAD.

 
7. LAUGHING ALOUD whilst in NAMAAZ. 

8. FLOWING of BLOOD or MATTER from any part of the body.

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MASAA-IL PERTAINING TO WUDHU

 

1. If blood or matter does not move from the place of the wound or sore, Wudhu will not break. Wudhu will only break if the impurity flows out of the wound or sore.

 
2. If clots of blood come out of the nose while blowing it, Wudhu will not break. Wudhu will only break if the blood is in the fluid state. 

 

3. If a pimple has to burst in the eye, then the Wudhu will only break if the fluid (that comes out of the pimple) flows out of the eye. 

 

4. If the blood in the saliva is more than the saliva, Wudhu will break. Therefore if one's saliva is reddish because of blood, Wudhu will break. 

 

5. Blood appearing on a toothpick will not break Wudhu if the effect of the blood cannot be seen in the saliva. 

 

6. Fluid from a paining ear will break the Wudhu, even if there is no sore or pimple in the ear. 

 

7. Water which flows from the eyes because of the eyes paining, will break the Wudhu. 

 

8. If males fall asleep in the position of Sajdah, but do not topple over, Wudhu is not broken. However, if females fall asleep in the position of Sajdah, Wudhu will break. 

 

9. A doubt will not break Wudhu. One remembers that Wudhu was made, but cannot remember if the Wudhu was broken. In such a case of doubt the Wudhu will be considered valid. 

 

10. During Wudhu one doubts whether a certain part was washed or not. In this case that particular part should be washed. However, if such doubt occurs after the completion of Wudhu, then the Wudhu will be complete. No notice should be taken of the doubt. 

 

11. After Wudhu if one remembers well that a certain part was not washed or Masah of the head was not made, then that part should be washed only or Masah should be made. There is no need to repeat the whole Wudhu. 

 

12. It is not permissible to touch the Quraan Sharif, tray, plate, etc. on which a verse of the Quraan Sharif is written or engraved, without Wudhu. 

 

13. It is Mustahab (preferable) to make Wudhu for each Salaat even though one may be in the state of Wudhu. It is Mustahab only if at least two Rak'aats Salaat have been performed with the previous Wudhu. Thus if one did not perform any Salaat, it will not be permissible to perform fresh Wudhu before that Wudhu has been either broken or at least two Rak'aats Salaat have been performed. 

 

14. If the four parts (that are Farz to be washed in Wudhu) become soaked in the rain or have been washed by swimming or taking a bath etc., then Wudhu will be valid even if one had no intention of Wudhu. 

 

15. While making Wudhu one should take care not to strike the water against the face causing it to splash. To do so is Makrooh. 

 

16. While making Wudhu the eyes should not be closed so tightly that the water is prevented from moistening the eyelashes or blocking the entry of water into the eye wells. To do so is Makroohe Tahrimi. If even one eyelash remains dry or water has not entered the eye wells, the Wudhu will be incomplete. 

 

17. The mouth should not be closed tightly while making Wudhu. To do so is Makroohe Tahrimi. If any part of the lips remain dry, the Wudhu will be incomplete. 

 

18. Wudhu will not be valid if any substance which does not allow water to seep through, sticks on any one of the four parts that are Farz to be washed in Wudhu, e.g. gum, paint, cutex (finger-nail paint), etc. If one realises after Wudhu that some gum or cutex has covered the fingernail (for example), then the Wudhu will only be valid if the gum or cutex is removed and the fingernail washed. There is no need to renew the Wudhu. 

 

19. If removal of the ointment from a sore or wound is harmful then it will not be necessary to remove it. If pouring water over the affected part is also harmful then merely make Masah of the affected part. 

 

20. If the wound or sore is bandaged and one will experience difficulty in opening and tying the bandage for Masah purpose, or Masah on the affected part will be harmful, then Masah should be made over the bandage. 

 

21. If this difficulty does not exist, then it will be necessary to open the bandage, plaster, etc., and make Masah on the affected part. 

 

22. It is best to make Masah over the whole of the upper surface of the bandage, etc. It is Wajib to make Masah of more than half the bandage, etc. If only half or less than half the bandage was covered by Masah, the Wudhu will not be valid. 

 

23. After making Masah if the bandage, plaster, etc., comes loose and it is realised that the affected part has healed, then the Masah made will not be valid. It will now be necessary to wash the particular part. It is not necessary to renew the Wudhu. 

 

24. If the beard is thick then it is not Farz for the water to reach the skin under it during Wudhu. If the beard grows sparsely so that the skin under it can be seen, then it is Farz for the water to reach the skin as well. 

 

25. Liquid that comes out of the eye while yawning does not break Wudhu. 

 

26. Finger-nails should be kept short. Dirt accumulates under long finger-nails. Wudhu and Ghusl will not be valid if the dirt is of such a nature that it does not allow water to seep through. It is also against Islamic hygiene and Tahaarat rules to keep long finger-nails and to allow dirt to accumulate under them. 

 

BAD ODOUR

The odour of cigarettes, cigars, raw onions, etc. is offensive to both the Musallies and the Malaa'ikah (Angels). If one has smoked then the mouth should be thoroughly washed before entering the Masjid.

[ummtaalib]

How Is Wudu Valid Whilst Using a Spray Bottle?

 

Question:

Can you advise if its possible to do wudhu using a spray bottle, if so is there anything i need to be careful about e.g. Does the water need to drip?  

 

 

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

 

 

The Answer:

It is permissible to use a spray bottle to perform wuḍū’ (ablution) as long as the mandatory area of each limb is washed and at least a two drops fall from any portion of the limb as the minimum legal requirement for the validity of wuḍū’. 

 

A spray bottle for wuḍū’ should only be used when one is in a condition or situation where he cannot perform wuḍū’ adhering to the Sunnah guidance and methodology.

 

The Fiqh (jurisprudence of the answer):

In the Qur’an, Allah The Almighty has commanded us to “wash” (gasl) the limbs.  This is different to Masah (wiping).  One of the differentiating factors is the flowing of water as a result of washing.  Washing necessitates the flow of considerable water.  This flow will manifest by the falling of at least two drops according to the strongest position in the Hanafi school of Fiqh.

 

Imam Abū Hanīfah and Imam Muḥammad raḥimahumallah were of the opinion that a minimum of two drops must fall for the validity of washing a limb.  This has been deemed as the reliable position of the school by the latter jurists[1].  

 

And Allah Ta’ālā Alone Knows Best

Mufti Faraz Adam al-Mahmudi,

www.darulfiqh.com

 

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Water Conservation in Wudhu

 

Wudhu is a great Ibaadah (act of worship). Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam is reported to have said that when a person performs wudhu in the proper manner, all the (minor) sins that were committed are washed off by means of the wudhu.

 

However, certain acts spoil this great Ibaadah and deprive one of the full benefits and virtues of wudhu. Among these acts is the wasting of water.

 

The Sunnah Amount of Water

 

It has been conservatively estimated that on average most people use more than six litres of water to perform one wudhu. This is in stark contrast to the amount of water that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam used for his wudhu. Sayyidatuna Aisha Radhiyallahu Anha reports that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam used one mudd of water for wudhu and one saa for ghusal. (Abu Dawood)

 

One mudd amounts to approximately 1 litre and one saa is approximately 4 litres. In other words, we generally use more water for wudhu than Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam used for ghusal.

 

Once Sayyiduna Jaabir Radhiyallahu Anhu narrated the saying of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam that one mudd of water suffices for wudhu and one saa for ghusal.

 

A person sitting there remarked: “It does not suffice for me.” Jaabir Radhiyallahu Anhu silenced him by saying, “It sufficed for him (Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) who was better than you and who even had more hair than you.” (hence he would require more water than you to wash the head during ghusal). (Ibn Majah)

 

Israaf (Wastage)

 

To use more than necessary is termed israaf. Regarding israaf, Allah Ta'ala declares, "Verily Allah Ta'ala does not love the wasters.”

 

On one occasion Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam asked a person performing wudhu: “Why are you wasting water?” The person enquired: “Is there israaf even in wudhu?” Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam replied, "Yes indeed, (do not waste) even if you are at the bank of a river." (Ibn Majah)

 

Hence it is necessary to become conscious of this important aspect and refrain from wasting water during wudhu.

 

How to Save Water

A few ways by which we can save water whilst making wudhu:

• Make wudhu using a jug rather than the tap.

• If you are using the tap, do not open it “full blast”. Rather open it until the flow is just sufficient for you to make wudhu.

• Close the tap while using the miswaak, making masah, khilaal, etc. Only re-open it when the water is again needed.

• Avoid taking a shower. Use a bucket instead. If the shower is used, open the water to just a little more than a trickle and finish off very quickly.

 

Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)
Council of Muslim Theologians

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SOME VIRTUES OF WUDHU.

‘Uqbah bin “Aamir (RA) said that I heard Nabi (SAW) saying, “There are two men from amongst my followers, one of them gets up during the night and forces himself into cleanliness, showing complexes of discouragement and evil counsels of Satan. He performs ablution, but he has knots tied upon him. When he washes his hands, a knot is opened up and when he washes his face, another knot is opened and when he wipes his head, another knot is opened and when he washes his feet, another knot is opened. Allah then addresses the angels behind the veil saying, “look at this devotee of mine who is forcing himself in order to ask of My Favours. Whatever this devotee of mine desires, I will grant it to him.” (Ahmad, Ibne Hibbaan, Tabraani)

In the above Hadith, the Nabi (SAW) informs us of two kinds of believers. One kind fights himself, his passions and his pleasure and gets up during the night to cleanse himself in order to worship Allah and ask of His favours. When this devotee gets up, he gets rid of the ropes of Satan as well as of his complexes and evil counsels; he also escapes from the illusions of the soul which orders wrongdoing, pushing its holder into sleep instead of awakening. Satan makes this person lazy instead if him standing before Allah. When this devotee gets up, performs ablution and then asks Allah, his request is responded to and he is relieved from sadness.

In the same meaning, Nabi (SAW) says, “When one of you sleeps, the Satan ties three ties at the back of his head and says for each tie: have a long night, so slumber. When he wakes up and mentions Allah, one of these ties is unravelled. When he performs ablution, another tie is unravelled and when he establishes prayer, all of the ties are unravelled and he becomes alert and pleasant, otherwise, he becomes wicked hearted and lazy. (Maalik, Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawood, Nasaai)

Abu Hurairah (RA) relates that Nabi (SAW) said, “When a Mu’min or Muslim servant of Allah performs ablution and he washes his face, the sins which the eye committed by looking are washed off with the water or with the last drop of water. When he washes his hands, the sins which were committed because of the touch of the hands are washed away with the water or with the last drop of water. When he washes his feet, the sins which were committed by the walking of the feet are washed off with the water or with the last drop of water until he comes out from that ablution cleansed from every sin (minor). (Muslim)

Abdullah As-Sanaabihi narrates that Nabi (SAW) said, “When a servant makes Wudhu and washes his mouth, the sins committed by his mouth are washed out. When he cleans his nose, the sins are cleansed from his nose. When he washed his hands, the sins of his face are washed off, even from under the eyelids. When he washes his hands, the sins of his hands are washed off, even from beneath the nails of his hands. When he wipes his head, the sins from his head come off, even from his ears. When he washes his feet, the sins of his feet are washed off, even from under his toe nails. Then his walking to the Masjid and prayers are rewarded separately. (Nasaai, Ibn Majah, Haakim and he says that it is correct according to the conditions of Bukhari and Muslim)

Othman bin ‘Affan (RA) narrates that Nabi (SAW) said, “Whoever performs a perfect Wudhu, the sins are washed off from his body to such an extent they even come out from beneath his nails.

In another narration, Uthmaan (RA) made Wudhu and said, ‘I saw Nabi (SAW) made Wudhu the way I made Wudhu and then He (SAW) said, ‘Whoever makes Wudhu like this, his previous sins (minor) will be forgiven and his Salaah and walking to the Masjid will be rewarded separately. (Muslim, Nasaai)

Ibn Umar (RA) narrates in the episode when Jibreel (AS) came to Nabi (SAW) to ask him Some Questions regarding Islam. Nabi (SAW) answered, ‘Islam is to testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah and to establish Salaah and to discharge Zakaah and to perform the Hajj and Umrah and to take a complete bath from Major impurities and to complete the Wudhu and to fast in the month of Ramadhaan.’ He (AS) then asked, ‘if I do these acts, am I then a Muslim?’ He (SAW) replied, ‘Yes’. (Ibne Khuzaimah)

Abu Hurairah (RA) relates that Nabi (SAW) went to the graveyard and greeted, ‘Peace be upon you O abode of the believers and surely if Allah wills, we will join you. I wished if we could see our brothers.’ When Nabi (SAW) said these words, his companions asked, ‘Are we not your brothers O Nabi of Allah?’ Nabi (SAW) replied, ‘You are My companions and our brothers are those who did not come as yet.’ The companions asked, ‘How will you recognize those who did not come as yet from your Ummat O Nabi of Allah?’ Nabi (SAW) replied, ‘Do you not see that a person who has a horse with some white on its forehead and hooves, will he not recognize his horse if it is standing next to a pitch black horse?’ They replied, “Yes O Nabi of Allah’. Nabi (SAW) then said, ‘certainly they will come with their limbs shining because of Wudhu and I will be receiving them by the Hawz-e-Kawthar. (Muslim)

Abu Hurairah (RA) says, ‘I heard Nabi (SAW) saying, ‘the ornaments of Jannah will worn on the places of Wudhu. (Ibne Khuzaimah)

Abu Hurairah (RA) says, ‘I heard Nabi (SAW) saying, ‘the believer will wear the ornaments of Jannah on the limbs of Wudhu.’ (Muslim)

Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates that Nabi (SAW) asked, ‘should I not inform you of such an action which if done, Allah will wipe out the sins and will elevate the person in stages? The companions replied, ‘Certainly O Nabi of Allah.’ Nabi (SAW) said, ‘Performing an excellent Wudhu despite of difficulties, excessive footsteps to the Masjid and waiting for the Salaah after Salaah. That is guarding the boundaries! That is guarding the boundaries!’ (Muslim) (These actions are referred to as guarding the boundaries, because it will guard its companion from disobeying Allah)

Ali (RA) says that Nabi (SAW) said, “whoever makes complete Wudhu in spite of it being extremely cold, he will receive two rewards.’ (Tabraani)

Ibn Umar (RA) says that Nabi (SAW) used to say, ‘Whoever performs Wudhu upon Wudhu, he will receive ten rewards.’ (Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi, Ibne Majah)

Abdullah bin Buraidah narrates from his father (RA) who said, ‘One day Nabi (SAW) awoke and he called Bilal (RA) and asked him, ‘O Bilal why have you succeeded me in Jannah? Certainly I entered  Jannah last night and heard your footsteps in front of Me.’ Bilal (RA) said, ‘O Nabi of Allah, whenever I called the Azaan, I performed two Rak’aats of Salaah after it (the Azaan) and whenever I broke my Wudhu, I immediately made a new Wudhu.’ Nabi (SAW) then said, ‘it is because of this.’ (Ibne Khuzaimah)

Umar bin Khattab (RA) narrates that Nabi (SAW) said, ‘There is no one of you who performs a perfect Wudhu, then he says Ash Hadu an laa Ilaaha Illal lahu Wahdahu laa Shareeka lahu wa Ash Hadu anna Muhammadan ‘Abduhu wa Rasooluhu except that the eight doors of Jannah are opened up for him and he may enter through any door he desires. (Muslim)

Abu Sa’eed Al Khudri (RA) says that Nabi (SAW) said, ‘Whoever reads Surah Kahaf, on the day of Reckoning, he will have Noor from his place until Makkah and whoever reads the last ten verses of Surah Kahaf and Dajjal comes out, Dajjal will not harm him and whoever makes Wudhu then says, ‘Subhanakal laa humma wa bi Hamdika, Ashhadu an laa Ilaaha illa anta, Astaghfiruka wa Atubu ilaik, these words will be written on a piece of paper and thereafter sealed up and this seal will not be broken until the day of reckoning.’ (Tabraani, Nasaai)

‘Uqbah bin ‘Aamir (RA) said that Nabi (SAW) said, ‘there is no person who makes a perfect Wudhu, then he performs two Rak’aats of Salaah with complete devotion and humility except that Paradise becomes Waajib for him.’ (Muslim)  

Zaid bin Khalid Al-Juhani (RA) narrates that Nabi (SAW) said, ‘whoever performs a complete Wudhu then thereafter prays two Rak’aats of Salaah without any negligence, all of his previous sins (minor) will be forgiven. (Abu-Dawood)

And Allah Ta’ala knows best

Nezaam bin Yahya Ali

Attested to as correct by:

Mufti Muhammad Ashraf

Darul Iftaa

Jameah Mahmoodiyah

Springs

www.mahmoodiyah.org.za

[email protected]     

[ummtaalib]

An Exclusive Honour for the Ummah of Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)

عن ابى هريرة رضى الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم خرج الى المقبرة فقال السلام عليكم دار قوم مؤمنين وإنا إن شاء الله بكم لاحقون وددت أنى قد رأيت إخواننا قالوا يا رسول الله ألسنا إخوانك قال بل انتم أصحابى و إخوانى الذين لم يأتوا بعد وأنا فرطهم على الحوض قالوا يا رسول الله كيف تعرف من يأتى بعدك من امّتك قال أرأيت لو كان لرجل خيل غرّ محجّلة فى خيل بهم دهم ألا يعرف خيله قالوا بلى قال فانهم يأتون يوم القيامة غرّا محجّلين من الوضوء و أنا فرطهم على الحوض (الترغيب والترهيب 1/208)

 

Hazrat Abu Hurayrah (Radhiyallahu Anhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) once entered the graveyard and recited the following Du’aa:

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيكُم دَارَ قَومٍ مُّؤمِنِينَ وَإنَّا إنْ شَاءَ اللهُ بِكُم لاَحِقُونَ

“O (inmates of) the resting abode of the believers, may peace descend upon you from the side of Allah Ta’ala, Insha Allah soon we will be joining you.”

Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) then said: “I wish I had met our brothers.” The Sahaabah (Radhiyallahu Anhum) enquired: “Are we not your brothers, O Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)?” Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) replied: “You are my companions (you have a greater position than the rest of the ummah. You are my brothers and are also blessed with my companionship). My brothers are those who have not yet come in the world (i.e. they will still be born and appear in the world after my demise). The Sahaabah (Radhiyallahu Anhum) further enquired: “O Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), how will you recognize those of your followers who come after you?” Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) replied: “If a person owns black horses whose foreheads and feet are white and they are mixed with completely black horses, will he not recognize his own horses from among them?” The Sahaabah (Radhiyallahu Anhum) replied: “Certainly he will recognize them, O Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).” Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) replied: “They (my followers) will come on the day of Qiyaamah with their foreheads and limbs illuminated with special noor on account of them performing wudhu for salaah (and it is through this sign that I will recognize them from others) and I will precede them (in reaching the Hereafter) and I will serve them water at the haudh of Kauthar (when they meet me on the day of Qiyaamah).”

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