Abu Huraira said, "A man or a woman used to clean the mosque." (A sub-narrator said, 'Most probably a woman..') Then he narrated the Hadith of the Prophet
Hadith Text & Context
Abu Huraira said, "A man or a woman used to clean the mosque." (A sub-narrator said, 'Most probably a woman..') Then he narrated the Hadith of the Prophet.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 460
Commentary on the Narration
This narration highlights the virtue of cleaning and maintaining mosques, an act considered a form of worship that draws one closer to Allah. The uncertainty about the cleaner's gender indicates the Companions' scrupulous accuracy in reporting only what they were certain of.
The sub-narrator's inclination toward it being a woman demonstrates how early scholars would carefully assess transmissions while maintaining honesty about their level of certainty.
Legal & Spiritual Implications
Cleaning mosques is a recommended act (mustahabb) that carries great reward, as it serves the house of Allah and facilitates worship for Muslims. This applies equally to men and women, reflecting Islam's comprehensive approach to community service.
The narration establishes that women's participation in public religious spaces is recognized and valued in Islamic tradition, provided proper Islamic guidelines are observed.
Scholarly Observations
Imam al-Nawawi comments that serving mosques through cleaning, maintenance, and lighting is among the noblest deeds, as it enables the performance of obligatory prayers and other acts of worship.
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani notes that the sub-narrator's expression "most probably" reflects the integrity of early transmitters who would distinguish between definite knowledge and reasonable assumption.