"I heard Humran bin Aban tell Abu Burdah in the Masjid that he heard 'Uthman narrating that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever performs Wudu' completely as commanded by Allah, the five daily prayers will be an expiation for whatever comes in between them.'"
Hadith Text & Transmission
"I heard Humran bin Aban tell Abu Burdah in the Masjid that he heard 'Uthman narrating that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever performs Wudu' completely as commanded by Allah, the five daily prayers will be an expiation for whatever comes in between them.'"
Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i 145 | Book: The Book of Purification | Author: Sunan an-Nasa'i
Commentary on the Chain of Narration
This noble hadith reaches us through an impeccable chain (isnad) beginning with the Companion 'Uthman ibn 'Affan (may Allah be pleased with him), the third rightly-guided Caliph. His narration carries immense weight due to his closeness to the Prophet (ﷺ) and his meticulous adherence to Sunnah.
The transmission through Humran bin Aban to Abu Burdah demonstrates the careful preservation of Prophetic teachings among the righteous successors (tabi'in), who learned directly from the Companions in the sacred precincts of the mosque.
Exposition of "Complete Wudu"
The phrase "completely as commanded by Allah" refers to performing ablution in accordance with Qur'anic guidance (Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:6) and Prophetic demonstration. This entails: washing each part thoroughly, observing the proper sequence, and maintaining the intention purely for Allah's pleasure.
Scholars emphasize that "completeness" includes both the outward actions and the inward presence of mind, ensuring no aspect of the prescribed method is neglected or performed carelessly.
The Expiation of Minor Sins
The five daily prayers serve as expiation for minor sins committed between them, provided the wudu' was performed correctly and the prayers were offered with due reverence. This demonstrates Allah's immense mercy in providing continuous purification for His servants.
Major sins require specific repentance (tawbah), while this expiation covers the minor transgressions that inevitably occur in daily life. The combination of proper purification and regular prayer creates a cycle of spiritual cleansing.
Practical Implications
This hadith encourages Muslims to perfect their wudu', recognizing it as the foundation of accepted prayer. It teaches that Islamic worship is interconnected - proper purification leads to valid prayer, which in turn purifies from sins.
The mention of the mosque as the setting for this transmission highlights the importance of learning religious knowledge in houses of worship, and the value of preserving and conveying authentic teachings.