‘Uthman reported God’s messenger as saying, “If anyone performs the ablution well, his sins will come out from his body, even coming out from under his nails.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)
Purification of the Outer and Inner
This narration from the esteemed Companion 'Uthman ibn 'Affan, found in the Sahih collections of both Imam al-Bukhari and Imam Muslim, and referenced in Mishkat al-Masabih 284, establishes a profound spiritual reality connected to the physical act of wudu' (ablution). The Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace, illuminates that a properly performed ablution is not merely a cleansing of the limbs from physical impurities, but a means of expiating sins.
The Meaning of "Performs the Ablution Well"
The phrase "performs the ablution well" (ahsana al-wudu') entails two essential components. Firstly, it requires the meticulous fulfillment of all its obligatory pillars (fara'id) and recommended acts (sunan) as prescribed in the Shari'ah. This includes the intention (niyyah), washing the face, arms, wiping the head, and washing the feet, in the specified sequence.
Secondly, and more profoundly, it implies performing it with presence of heart (hudur al-qalb), contemplating the greatness of the command and the majesty of the One who commanded it. It is to see the water not just as a physical cleanser, but as a divine mercy washing away spiritual blemishes.
The Expiation of Sins
The hadith states that the sins "come out from his body, even coming out from under his nails." The scholars explain that the minor sins (al-sagha'ir) are what are effaced through this act of worship. The imagery of sins departing from under the nails signifies the completeness and thoroughness of this purification. Just as water reaches the most hidden and minute parts of the body during a proper ablution, so too does Allah's forgiveness encompass the sins, great and small, that are attached to those very limbs.
This is a manifestation of Allah's boundless mercy. He has ordained a simple, physical act and attached to it an immense spiritual reward—the cleansing of the soul from the stains of disobedience. It serves as a reminder that every act of worship, when performed correctly and sincerely, has a transformative effect on both the outer and inner state of the believer.
A Continuous Cycle of Purification
This hadith encourages the believer to be in a constant state of ritual purity. Each ablution becomes an opportunity for renewal and repentance. It instills the understanding that the path to Allah is paved with both major acts of devotion and these repeated, smaller acts of obedience that collectively polish the heart and draw one closer to the Divine.