1/113. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 291 — Umm Habibah Bathing for Prayer
The Narrations That State The Woman With Istihadah Should Perform Ghusl For Every Prayer
Umm Habibah Hadith: Bathing for Every Prayer During Istihadah
Sunan Abi Dawud : 291
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 291
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِسْحَاقَ الْمُسَيَّبِيُّ، حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي، عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي ذِئْبٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ، وَعَمْرَةَ بِنْتِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، أَنَّ أُمَّ حَبِيبَةَ، اسْتُحِيضَتْ سَبْعَ سِنِينَ فَأَمَرَهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنْ تَغْتَسِلَ فَكَانَتْ تَغْتَسِلُ لِكُلِّ صَلاَةٍ .
A'isha Narrated from:
Umm Habibah had a prolonged flow of blood for seven years. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) commanded her to take bath; so she used to take bath for every prayer.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 291In-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 291English translation : Book 1, Hadith 291
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 291
This narration is clear and direct. Aishah said that Umm Habibah had prolonged bleeding for seven years. The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم commanded her to take bath, and she used to take bath for every prayer. The hadith is tied to the topic of istihadah, a condition where bleeding continues beyond the usual menstrual period. The wording highlights both the length of her hardship and her care for prayer. For someone searching for ghusl for every prayer during istihadah, this report is highly relevant. It does not add a long discussion. It simply records the condition, the command to bathe, and the practice of bathing for each prayer.
What we learn from this hadith
- Umm Habibah experienced prolonged bleeding for seven years.
- The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم commanded her to take a bath.
- She used to bathe for every prayer in this report.
- The narration connects purification with continuing prayer.
