4/10. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 762 — Cleaning the Qiblah Side of the Mosque
Repugnance Of Spitting In The Mosque
Mosque Cleanliness and Respect for the Qiblah
Sunan Ibn Majah : 762
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 762
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ طَرِيفٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَائِذُ بْنُ حَبِيبٍ، عَنْ حُمَيْدٍ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ رَأَى نُخَامَةً فِي قِبْلَةِ الْمَسْجِدِ فَغَضِبَ حَتَّى احْمَرَّ وَجْهُهُ فَجَاءَتْهُ امْرَأَةٌ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ فَحَكَّتْهَا وَجَعَلَتْ مَكَانَهَا خَلُوقًا فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ " مَا أَحْسَنَ هَذَا " .
Anas Narrated from:
The Prophet saw some sputum in the prayer direction of the mosque and he became so angry that his face turned red. Then a woman from among the Ansar came and scraped it off, and put some Khaluq on that spot. The Messenger of Allah said: "How good this is."
[1] A kind of perfume containing saffron etc. See explanation by Sindi .Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 762In-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 28English translation : Vol. 1, Book 4, Hadith 762
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 762
This Hadith focuses on mosque cleanliness, especially the prayer direction of the mosque. The Prophet saw sputum in the Qiblah side and became visibly angry. His reaction shows that leaving filth or spittle in the place where people face for prayer is not a small matter. Then a woman from the Ansar cleaned it and placed Khaluq on that spot. The Prophet praised her action by saying, "How good this is." The teaching is simple and practical: the mosque should not be treated like an ordinary public place. It is a place for prayer, so cleaning it and improving its condition is a good act. The Hadith also shows that anyone who helps maintain the mosque does something worthy of praise.
What we learn from this hadith
- The prayer direction of the mosque should be kept clean and respected.
- Removing dirt from the mosque is a praised action in this narration.
- The Prophet disliked seeing sputum in the mosque.
- Both men and women may serve the mosque by helping keep it clean.
