13/40. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1167e — Trace of Clay After Prayer
The virtue of Lailat Al-Qadr and the Exhortation to seek it; When it is and the most likely times to seek it
Laylatul Qadr Sign: Clay on the Forehead
Sahih Muslim : 1167e
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1167e
وَحَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ بْنُ حُمَيْدٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ، بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الدَّارِمِيُّ أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو الْمُغِيرَةِ، حَدَّثَنَا الأَوْزَاعِيُّ، كِلاَهُمَا عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ أَبِي، كَثِيرٍ بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ . نَحْوَهُ وَفِي حَدِيثِهِمَا رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حِينَ انْصَرَفَ وَعَلَى جَبْهَتِهِ وَأَرْنَبَتِهِ أَثَرُ الطِّينِ .
Yahya b. Abu Kathir Narrated from:
This hadith has been reported on the authority of Yahya b. Abu Kathir with the same chain of transmitters (with a slight variation of these words): I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) after he had completed (the prayer) and there was a trace of clay on his forehead and tip (of the nose).
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1167eIn-book reference : Book 13, Hadith 279USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 6, Hadith 2629
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1167e
This brief narration is connected to the longer reports about Laylatul Qadr, i'tikaf, rain, and prostration in water and clay. It states that after the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم completed the prayer, there was a trace of clay on his forehead and on the tip of his nose. The value of this narration is in its careful detail. It does not add a new ruling or a new date by itself. Rather, it strengthens the same scene described in the related reports: the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم had mentioned being shown that he would prostrate in water and clay, and the companions later saw traces of that after prayer. The hadith teaches attention to accurate reporting.
What we learn from this hadith
- Small details in hadith reports can preserve important meaning.
- This narration supports the described sign of water and clay.
- The report should be understood with the related narrations on Laylatul Qadr.
