"I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) when the time for 'Asr prayer had come. The people looked for (water for) Wudu' but they could not find any. Then some (water for) Wudu' was brought to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). He put his hand in that vessel and told the poeple to perform Wudu', and I saw water springing from beneath his fingers, until they had all performed Wudu'."
The Book of Purification - Sunan an-Nasa'i 76
"I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) when the time for 'Asr prayer had come. The people looked for (water for) Wudu' but they could not find any. Then some (water for) Wudu' was brought to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). He put his hand in that vessel and told the people to perform Wudu', and I saw water springing from beneath his fingers, until they had all performed Wudu'."
Commentary on the Hadith
This narration from Sunan an-Nasa'i demonstrates one of the clear miracles (mu'jizat) bestowed upon the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) by Allah's permission. The incident occurred during the time of 'Asr prayer when the Companions faced scarcity of water for purification.
The scholars explain that this miracle serves multiple purposes: it confirms the Prophet's truthfulness, demonstrates Allah's support for His Messenger, and shows divine compassion for the Muslim community in times of difficulty. The water flowing from between his blessed fingers symbolizes the spiritual and physical blessings that emanate from following the Prophet's guidance.
Jurists derive from this hadith the permissibility of using water that has been blessed or touched by righteous people, though the primary lesson remains the affirmation of prophetic miracles. The incident also emphasizes the importance of congregational prayer and Allah's provision of solutions when believers face obstacles in fulfilling religious obligations.
Legal and Spiritual Implications
This miracle establishes that natural laws are subject to Allah's will and can be suspended for His chosen messengers. It reinforces the principle that when the Muslim community faces hardship in performing acts of worship, Allah provides ease through extraordinary means.
The narration also teaches about the Prophet's concern for his ummah and his role as both spiritual guide and practical leader. His immediate response to the community's need for water demonstrates the comprehensive nature of prophethood, addressing both material and spiritual needs of the believers.