The Prophet (ﷺ) remained behind us on a journey. He joined us while we were performing ablution for the `Asr prayer which was overdue and we were just passing wet hands over our feet (not washing them thoroughly) so he addressed us in a loud voice saying twice , "Save your heels from the fire."
Hadith Text & Reference
The Prophet (ﷺ) remained behind us on a journey. He joined us while we were performing ablution for the `Asr prayer which was overdue and we were just passing wet hands over our feet (not washing them thoroughly) so he addressed us in a loud voice saying twice, "Save your heels from the fire."
Book: Ablutions (Wudu') | Author: Sahih al-Bukhari | Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 163
Contextual Analysis
This hadith occurred during a journey when the Companions were performing ablution for the overdue Asr prayer. The urgency of the situation led some to be negligent in properly washing their feet during wudu, merely passing wet hands over them without thorough cleansing.
The Prophet's delayed arrival allowed him to observe this deficiency in their ablution, demonstrating his careful supervision of his community's religious practices even in challenging circumstances.
Legal Rulings (Ahkam)
This hadith establishes the obligatory nature of completely washing the feet during ablution, including the heels. Mere wiping or partial washing does not fulfill the requirement.
The ruling applies equally to travelers and residents, as the Prophet did not make exceptions for journey conditions. The urgency of prayer time does not justify incomplete ablution.
Scholars derive that all parts of the foot must be washed thoroughly, with special attention to areas commonly missed like the heels and between the toes.
Spiritual Significance
The Prophet's emphatic repetition ("saying twice") underscores the seriousness of neglecting this obligation and its spiritual consequences.
The mention of "fire" serves as a powerful warning about the spiritual danger of incomplete worship. Proper ablution is not merely physical purification but a spiritual preparation for standing before Allah in prayer.
This teaching emphasizes that negligence in outward acts of worship can lead to spiritual consequences in the Hereafter, connecting physical actions with spiritual outcomes.
Pedagogical Method
The Prophet used immediate correction upon observing the error, demonstrating the importance of timely religious instruction.
He employed a loud voice to ensure all present heard the correction, showing the public nature of correcting fundamental errors in worship.
The dramatic warning about "fire" created a lasting impression, ensuring the Companions would never forget this lesson in proper ablution.