(the wife of the Prophet) We set out with Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) on one of his journeys till we reached Al- Baida' or Dhatul-Jaish, a necklace of mine was broken (and lost). Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) stayed there to search for it, and so did the people along with him. There was no water at that place, so the people went to Abu- Bakr As-Siddiq and said, "Don't you see what `Aisha has done? She has made Allah's Apostle and the people stay where there is no water and they have no water with them." Abu Bakr came while Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was sleeping with his head on my thigh, He said, to me: "You have detained Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and the people where there is no water and they have no water with them. So he admonished me and said what Allah wished him to say and hit me on my flank with his hand. Nothing prevented me from moving (because of pain) but the position of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) on my thigh. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) got up when dawn broke and there was no water. So Allah revealed the Divine Verses of Tayammum. So they all performed Tayammum. Usaid bin Hudair said, "O the family of Abu Bakr! This is not the first blessing of yours." Then the camel on which I was riding was caused to move from its place and the necklace was found beneath it.
Rubbing hands and feet with dust (Tayammum)
Sahih al-Bukhari
Hadith Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 334
Contextual Background
This incident occurred during a journey with the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) when Lady Aisha lost her necklace at Al-Baida' or Dhatul-Jaish. The Prophet halted the journey to search for it, despite the location having no water source. This divine delay became the occasion for the revelation of Tayammum, demonstrating Allah's mercy in facilitating worship during hardship.
Legal Ruling of Tayammum
Tayammum serves as a purification substitute when water is unavailable, physically inaccessible, or its use would cause harm. The jurists establish that Tayammum requires pure earth/dust and follows specific ritual actions: striking the earth with palms once, then wiping the face and hands up to wrists. This concession reflects the Islamic principle of ease in religious observance.
Scholarly Commentary
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani notes in Fath al-Bari that this incident demonstrates the permissibility of delaying prayer when seeking purification means. The companions' concern highlights their devotion to ritual purity. Usaid's remark to Abu Bakr's family acknowledges their role in occasions of divine revelation, showing how Allah brings good from apparent difficulties.
Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that Tayammum isn't merely symbolic but constitutes valid purification, removing the state of minor impurity (hadath). The timing—revealed at dawn—shows urgency in providing the Ummah with this concession before the prayer time elapsed.
Spiritual Lessons
This narrative teaches divine wisdom in apparent inconveniences—the lost necklace became the means for a significant legal ruling benefiting the Muslim community until Judgment Day. It also illustrates the Prophet's gentle character in not blaming Aisha, and the companions' respect for the Prophet's decisions even when the wisdom wasn't immediately apparent.