I heard Abu Huraira saying as he passed by us while the people were performing ablution from a utensil containing water, "Perform ablution perfectly and thoroughly for Abul-Qasim (the Prophet) said, 'Save your heels from the Hell-fire.' "
Hadith Text & Context
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari 165 describes Abu Huraira's admonition to companions performing wudu', reminding them of the Prophet's warning about incomplete ablution, specifically mentioning the heels.
Scholarly Commentary
The phrase "Perform ablution perfectly and thoroughly" (أَسْبِغُوا الْوُضُوءَ) emphasizes both the proper sequence (farḍ) and recommended completeness (sunan) of ritual purification.
"Save your heels from the Hell-fire" indicates the severe consequence of neglecting areas obligatory to wash, showing that incomplete wudu' constitutes disobedience warranting divine warning.
Juridical Rulings
Classical scholars unanimously agree that heels are among the body parts obligatory to wash during wudu', based on Quran 5:6 and this explicit Prophetic warning.
The hadith establishes that negligence in washing any obligatory part invalidates the ablution and consequently invalidates prayers performed thereafter.
Spiritual Dimensions
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani notes this warning serves to emphasize both the physical completeness of wudu' and the spiritual attentiveness required in all acts of worship.
Al-Nawawi explains that such vivid warnings about minor omissions demonstrate Islam's comprehensive approach to worship, where external actions reflect internal devotion.