The Excellence of Perfecting Ablution

This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari 96 demonstrates the profound importance Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) placed upon perfecting the minor acts of worship, particularly ablution (wudu). The Companions' haste in performing wudu, merely passing wet hands over their feet without proper washing, warranted this emphatic warning from the Prophet (ﷺ).

Scholarly Commentary on the Warning

The phrase "Save your heels from the fire" carries immense gravity. Classical scholars explain that neglecting to wash the heels during ablution constitutes an imperfection that invalidates the prayer. Since prayer is the foundation of religion, its invalidation due to improper wudu places one's spiritual state in jeopardy.

Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, in his commentary Fath al-Bari, notes that the repetition of the warning ("twice or thrice") indicates the extreme importance of the matter and serves to emphasize the severity of the negligence.

Legal Rulings Derived

This hadith establishes the obligatory nature of washing the entire foot during ablution, including the heels. The Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali schools all agree on this fundamental requirement.

Scholars also derive from this narration that one must ensure water reaches all parts of the limb during wudu, and that mere wiping without proper washing is insufficient for the feet.

Spiritual Dimensions

Beyond the legal ruling, this incident teaches us about the Prophet's (ﷺ) compassionate concern for his ummah's salvation. His warning about the Fire, even for what might seem a minor oversight, reflects his profound love and responsibility toward his followers.

The narration also illustrates how the Companions, despite their elevated status, were corrected when they erred, demonstrating that religious knowledge must be pursued with humility and precision.