A Bedouin urinated in the mosque. Some of the persons stood up (to reprimand him or to check him from doing so), but the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Leave him alone; don't interrupt him. He (the narrator) said: And when he had finished, he called for a bucket of water and poured it over.
The Book of Purification - Sahih Muslim 284a
A Bedouin urinated in the mosque. Some of the persons stood up (to reprimand him or to check him from doing so), but the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Leave him alone; don't interrupt him. He (the narrator) said: And when he had finished, he called for a bucket of water and poured it over.
Scholarly Commentary
This hadith demonstrates the profound wisdom and pedagogical approach of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) in dealing with ignorance. The Bedouin, unfamiliar with mosque etiquette, committed a grave violation by urinating in a sacred space. The Companions' immediate reaction to stop him was natural, yet the Prophet restrained them, prioritizing education over reprimand.
The Prophet's instruction to not interrupt shows his understanding that harsh correction could alienate the newcomer from Islam. By allowing the act to complete, he ensured the Bedouin would witness the full purification process, creating a lasting lesson about maintaining mosque purity.
The subsequent cleansing with water establishes the fundamental Islamic principle that najasah (impurity) is removed by water. This incident became a foundational precedent in fiqh regarding the purification of contaminated places, particularly mosques, emphasizing that physical cleansing should follow spiritual education.
Legal Rulings Derived
Urine is considered najasah (impure) and must be cleansed from prayer areas. Mosques require special protection from impurities. The proper method for cleansing urine from floors is thorough washing with water. When dealing with ignorant newcomers to Islam, gentleness and education should precede harshness. The principle of removing harm without causing greater harm is established.