‘Umar b. al-Khattab reported, God's messenger as saying, “If anyone performs the ablution completely*, then says, ‘I testify that there in no god but God and that Muhammad is His servant and messenger’ (a version giving, ‘I testify that there is no god but God alone who has no partner, and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and messenger’), the eight gates of paradise will be opened for him and he may enter by whichever of them he wishes." *The text has alternative words here, fa-yublighu au fa-yusbighu.Thus Muslim transmitted it in his Sahih, and al-Humaidi among the traditions given by Muslim but not by Bukhari, as also did Ibn al-Athir in Jami' al-usul. The Shaikh Muhyi ad-Din an-Nawawi mentioned it at the end of Muslim’s traditions as we have transmitted it. Tirmidhi added, “O God, put me among the penitent, and put me among those who are purified." The tradition, “He who performs ablution and does it well" which Muhyi as-Sunna transmitted among the sound ones is transmitted identically by Tirmidhi in his Jami' except for “I testify" before the words "that Muhammad."
Purification: Mishkat al-Masabih 289 - Commentary on the Excellence of Ablution and Testimony
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is due to God, Lord of the worlds, and may peace and blessings be upon His final messenger Muhammad.
The Excellence of Complete Ablution
The noble hadith transmitted by the Companion 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (may God be pleased with him) establishes the immense spiritual reward for perfecting one's ablution (wudu). The phrase "performs the ablution completely" indicates that one must fulfill all its obligatory acts (fara'id) and recommended acts (sunan) with excellence.
The alternative readings "fa-yublighu" (he completes) and "fa-yusbighu" (he perfects) both emphasize thoroughness in washing each limb, ensuring no part is neglected. This completeness reflects the believer's attention to both the outer purification and inner intention.
The Testimony of Faith After Ablution
The declaration of faith (shahadah) following ablution serves as a spiritual seal upon the physical purification. The full testimony "I testify that there is no god but God alone who has no partner, and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and messenger" contains the complete affirmation of God's oneness (tawhid) and acceptance of Muhammad's prophethood.
This combination of physical purity and verbal testimony creates a state of comprehensive purification - both bodily and spiritual - making the believer worthy of divine reward.
The Eight Gates of Paradise
The promise of eight gates of paradise opening for such a believer demonstrates the magnitude of this act's reward. Islamic tradition identifies these gates as being for different types of worshippers: those who prayed, fasted, gave charity, fought in God's cause, and so forth.
The permission to enter through any gate indicates the comprehensive nature of this reward - the believer who perfects ablution and testifies to God's oneness attains a status that encompasses all forms of righteousness.
Additional Supplication in Tirmidhi's Version
The supplementary prayer transmitted by Imam Tirmidhi - "O God, put me among the penitent, and put me among those who are purified" - connects the physical act of purification with the spiritual state of repentance (tawbah). This demonstrates that true purification involves both outer cleanliness and inner spiritual renewal.
Scholarly Authentication
This tradition is authenticated by multiple classical scholars including Imam Muslim in his Sahih, al-Humaidi, Ibn al-Athir in Jami' al-usul, and Imam Nawawi. The careful transmission through multiple reliable chains (isnad) confirms its authenticity and importance in Islamic tradition.
May God accept our acts of worship and purification, and grant us entry into His paradise through His infinite mercy. And God knows best.