Riyad as-Salihin, 753
Sa'id bin Al-Harith reported:
I asked Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) whether it was obligatory to make Wudu' for Salat (prayer) after eating cooked food. He said: "No, because in the lifetime of Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), such food was rarely available. We had no handkerchiefs, so when we ate such food we would wipe our fingers against our palms, forearms or (the sole of our) feet, and would offer Salat without fresh Wudu' (for prayer)." <b>[Al- Bukhari]</b>.
وعن سعيد بن الحارث أنه سأل جابراً رضى الله عنه عن الوضوء مما مست النار، فقال: لا ، قد كنا زمن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم لا نجد مثل ذلك الطعام إلا قليلاً، فإذا نحن وجدناه، لم يكن لنا مناديل إلا أكفنا وسواعدنا وأقدامنا، ثم نصلى ولا نتوضأ. ((رواه البخارى))
References1 variant
- In-Book Reference
- Book 2, Hadith 27
Sharh · explanationclick to expand
<b>Guidance from the Hadith:</b><br>
1) The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) led ascetic lives, rarely eating delicious food cooked on fire.<br>
2) There is nothing wrong with using napkins after licking one’s fingers. This does not contradict the Companions’ practice, for they did not have napkins at the time.<br>
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<b>Benefit:</b><br>
A successful preacher makes people love to follow the Prophet’s Sunnah without opposing some useful practices they may currently follow. Indeed, the religion of Allah Almighty is comprehensive and suitable for every time and place.