'" 'Abdullah bin 'Umar came to visit Ibn 'Amir when he was sick and he said: 'Won't you supplicate to Allah for me, O Ibn 'Umar ?' He said: 'I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: "No Salat is accepted without Wudu' (purification), and no charity (is accepted) that comes from Ghulul [1] " and you were the governor of Al-Basrah.' "[1] Goods pilfered from the spoils of war prior to their authorized distribution.
The Book of Purification - Sahih Muslim 224a
This narration from Abdullah bin Umar contains profound wisdom regarding two fundamental pillars of Islamic practice: the validity of prayer and the acceptance of charity.
Purification as Prerequisite for Prayer
The Prophet (ﷺ) declared that no prayer is accepted without purification (wudu), establishing ritual purity as an essential condition for the validity of salah. This emphasizes that physical cleanliness mirrors spiritual purity before the Divine Presence.
Scholars explain that wudu serves both as an outward purification from physical impurities and an inward preparation of the heart for communion with Allah. The rejection of prayer without wudu demonstrates the inseparable connection between external acts of worship and their prescribed conditions.
The Prohibition of Ghulul
Ghulul refers to misappropriating war booty before its lawful distribution. The Prophet (ﷺ) equated such acts with invalid charity, indicating that unlawfully acquired wealth cannot become a means of drawing nearer to Allah.
Ibn Umar's specific mention of Ibn Amir's governorship in Basrah serves as a subtle admonition, suggesting that his illness might relate to administrative misconduct. Classical commentators note this demonstrates how religious scholars gently guide rulers toward accountability without direct confrontation.
Interconnection of Worship and Ethics
This hadith beautifully connects ritual worship with ethical conduct. Just as prayer requires physical purity, charity requires financial purity. Both acts of worship demand proper preparation and lawful means.
The comprehensive nature of Islamic teachings ensures that spiritual acts remain connected to moral integrity, preventing the compartmentalization of religion from daily conduct and social responsibilities.