2/14. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 251a — Wudu, Prayer, and Ribat
The virtue of isbaghil-wudu’ (performing wudu’ properly) during times when it is difficult to do so
Hadith About Wudu and Prayer: Sins Removed and Ranks Raised
Sahih Muslim : 251a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 251a
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ أَيُّوبَ، وَقُتَيْبَةُ، وَابْنُ، حُجْرٍ جَمِيعًا عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ، - قَالَ ابْنُ أَيُّوبَ حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ، - أَخْبَرَنِي الْعَلاَءُ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " أَلاَ أَدُلُّكُمْ عَلَى مَا يَمْحُو اللَّهُ بِهِ الْخَطَايَا وَيَرْفَعُ بِهِ الدَّرَجَاتِ " . قَالُوا بَلَى يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ . قَالَ " إِسْبَاغُ الْوُضُوءِ عَلَى الْمَكَارِهِ وَكَثْرَةُ الْخُطَا إِلَى الْمَسَاجِدِ وَانْتِظَارُ الصَّلاَةِ بَعْدَ الصَّلاَةِ فَذَلِكُمُ الرِّبَاطُ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Should I not suggest to you that by which Allah obliterates the sins and elevates the ranks (of a man). They (the hearers) said: Yes, Messenger of Allah. He said: Performing the ablution thoroughly despite odds, tranverside of more paces towards the mosque, and waiting for the next prayer after observing a prayer, and that is mindfulness.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 251aIn-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 54USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 2, Hadith 485
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 251a
This hadith about wudu and prayer gives three clear actions. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم asked if he should tell the people about what Allah uses to wipe away sins and raise ranks. He then mentioned performing ablution thoroughly despite difficulty, taking many steps toward the mosques, and waiting for the next prayer after finishing a prayer. The hadith ends by calling this mindfulness or Ribat. The wording keeps the focus on steady worship, not dramatic acts. A person may face hardship, distance, or waiting time, yet these ordinary moments can become meaningful when connected to prayer. The lesson is practical: careful wudu, walking to the mosque, and staying attached to prayer are acts loved in this narration.
What we learn from this hadith
- Thorough ablution despite difficulty is named as a means for sins to be wiped away.
- Walking more steps to the mosque is linked with raised ranks.
- Waiting for the next prayer after a prayer is praised.
- The hadith presents steady prayer habits as a form of Ribat.
