1/41. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 397 — Saying Bismillah Before Wudu
Concerning saying "Bismilllah" when performing ablution
Bismillah Before Wudu Hadith
Sunan Ibn Majah : 397
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 397
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو كُرَيْبٍ، مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْعَلاَءِ حَدَّثَنَا زَيْدُ بْنُ الْحُبَابِ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَامِرٍ الْعَقَدِيُّ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مَنِيعٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أَحْمَدَ الزُّبَيْرِيُّ، قَالُوا حَدَّثَنَا كَثِيرُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ، عَنْ رُبَيْحِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ قَالَ " لاَ وُضُوءَ لِمَنْ لَمْ يَذْكُرِ اسْمَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ " .
Abu Sa'eed Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah said: "There is no ablution for one who does not mention the Name of Allah (before doing it)."
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 397In-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 131English translation : Vol. 1, Book 1, Hadith 397
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 397
This Bismillah before wudu hadith focuses on remembering Allah at the start of ablution. Abu Saeed narrated that the Messenger of Allah said there is no ablution for one who does not mention the Name of Allah before doing it. The hadith links wudu with the remembrance of Allah, not just washing the limbs. The provided wording is strong, so the explanation should stay with the text and not add detailed juristic differences unless clearly labeled. In simple terms, the hadith teaches that beginning wudu with Allah’s Name is a serious part of the act as narrated here. For readers searching for saying Bismillah before wudu, this report is one of the main narrations.
What we learn from this hadith
- Mention Allah’s Name before wudu as stated in the narration.
- Wudu is presented as both physical purification and remembrance.
- The hadith gives special weight to beginning ablution with Allah’s Name.
