Hadith Commentary: Purification as the Foundation

This noble hadith from Sunan Abi Dawud 61 establishes purification (taharah) as the essential precondition for the validity of prayer. The scholars explain that just as a key opens a door, purification opens the door to acceptance of salah. Without ritual purity, one's prayer cannot properly commence.

Scholarly Interpretation of the Phrase

Imam Al-Mundhiri comments that "the key to prayer is purification" means purification is the instrument that makes prayer accessible, just as a key makes a locked door accessible. The condition precedes the act itself.

Ibn Al-Mulaqqin elaborates that purification here encompasses both major impurity (requiring ghusl) and minor impurity (requiring wudu), as both states prevent one from performing prayer until cleansed.

Structural Components of Prayer

The phrase "its beginning is takbir" refers to the opening "Allahu Akbar" that initiates the prayer state (ihram), separating the worshipper from worldly matters and entering into communion with the Divine.

"Its end is taslim" indicates the concluding salutations "Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah" to both right and left, which formally releases the worshipper from the prayer state and returns them to ordinary interaction.

Legal Implications and Rulings

This hadith establishes that prayer performed without purification is invalid and unacceptable. The Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali schools all concur on this fundamental principle.

The scholars derive from this that purification must be maintained throughout the prayer. If it is broken during prayer, the prayer becomes invalid and must be repeated after renewing purification.

Spiritual Dimensions

Beyond physical cleanliness, the scholars emphasize that purification encompasses spiritual cleansing - purifying the heart from distractions, sins, and worldly attachments to stand before Allah with full presence and devotion.

Al-Ghazali notes that just as the body requires purification with water, the heart requires purification through sincere repentance and remembrance of Allah to truly unlock the spiritual benefits of prayer.