2/4. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 231a — Complete Purification and Prayer
The virtue of performing wudu’ and salat
Hadith About Complete Wudu and the Five Daily Prayers
Sahih Muslim : 231a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 231a
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو كُرَيْبٍ، مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْعَلاَءِ وَإِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ جَمِيعًا عَنْ وَكِيعٍ، قَالَ أَبُو كُرَيْبٍ حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، عَنْ مِسْعَرٍ، عَنْ جَامِعِ بْنِ شَدَّادٍ أَبِي صَخْرَةَ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ حُمْرَانَ بْنَ أَبَانَ، قَالَ كُنْتُ أَضَعُ لِعُثْمَانَ طَهُورَهُ فَمَا أَتَى عَلَيْهِ يَوْمٌ إِلاَّ وَهُوَ يُفِيضُ عَلَيْهِ نُطْفَةً . وَقَالَ عُثْمَانُ حَدَّثَنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عِنْدَ انْصِرَافِنَا مِنْ صَلاَتِنَا هَذِهِ - قَالَ مِسْعَرٌ أُرَاهَا الْعَصْرَ - فَقَالَ " مَا أَدْرِي أُحَدِّثُكُمْ بِشَىْءٍ أَوْ أَسْكُتُ " . فَقُلْنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنْ كَانَ خَيْرًا فَحَدِّثْنَا وَإِنْ كَانَ غَيْرَ ذَلِكَ فَاللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَعْلَمُ . قَالَ " مَا مِنْ مُسْلِمٍ يَتَطَهَّرُ فَيُتِمُّ الطُّهُورَ الَّذِي كَتَبَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ فَيُصَلِّي هَذِهِ الصَّلَوَاتِ الْخَمْسَ إِلاَّ كَانَتْ كَفَّارَاتٍ لِمَا بَيْنَهَا " .
Humran b. Aban Narrated from:
I used to fetch water for 'Uthman for his purification. Never was there a day that he did not take a bath with a small quantity of water. And Uthman said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) at the time of our returning from our prayer told us (certain things pertaining to purification). Mis'ar said: I find that it was afternoon prayer.He said: I do not know whether I should tell you a thing or keep quiet. We said: Messenger of Allah, tell us if it is good and if it is otherwise, Allah and His Apostle know better. Upon this he said: A Muslim who purifies (himself) and completes purification as enjoined upon him by Allah and then offers the prayers, that will be expiation (of his sins he committed) between these (prayers).
Reference : Sahih Muslim 231aIn-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 13USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 2, Hadith 444
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 231a
This hadith teaches the value of completing purification before the five daily prayers. Uthman reports that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم spoke after a prayer and said that a Muslim who purifies himself and completes the purification as Allah has made it due, then offers the prayers, will have those prayers as expiation for what comes between them. The focus is not on a vague idea of cleanliness. It is on proper purification and prayer. For someone searching for a hadith about wudu and salah, this narration shows how daily worship is tied to mercy and forgiveness. It also teaches that purification should be done fully, not carelessly, before standing for prayer.
What we learn from this hadith
- Purification should be completed properly before prayer.
- The five prayers are linked with expiation between them.
- Daily prayer is presented as a repeated means of spiritual cleansing.
- The hadith connects outward purification with regular worship.
