"A Bedouin entered the Masjid while the Prophet was sitting. He prayed, then when he was finished, he said: 'O Allah! Have mercy upon me and Muhammad, and do not have mercy on anyone along with us.' The Prophet turned, towards him and said: 'You have restricted something that is unrestricted.' It was not long before he was urinating in the Masjid. So the people rushed to him. But Prophet said: 'Pour a bucket of water over it - or - a tumbler of water over it.' Then he said: 'You have been sent to make things easy (for the people); you have not been sent to make things difficult for them.'"
Hadith Commentary: The Book on Purification
This narration from Jami` at-Tirmidhi 147 contains profound lessons regarding Islamic purification, mercy, and the fundamental principles of this religion.
The Bedouin's Prayer
When the Bedouin prayed "O Allah! Have mercy upon me and Muhammad, and do not have mercy on anyone along with us," the Prophet's response "You have restricted something that is unrestricted" teaches that Allah's mercy encompasses all creation. The scholars explain that this demonstrates the error of limiting divine mercy to specific individuals, as Allah's compassion is vast and inclusive.
The Incident of Urination
The Bedouin's subsequent urination in the mosque demonstrates his ignorance of proper mosque etiquette and purification laws. The people's reaction to rush and stop him reflects their understanding of the sanctity of the mosque. However, the Prophet's calm instruction shows wisdom in dealing with ignorance.
Purification Ruling
The Prophet's command to pour water over the urine establishes the fundamental principle that najasah (impurity) is removed by washing with water. Scholars derive from this that a small amount of water suffices for purification when the impurity is limited. This demonstrates the ease and practicality of Islamic purification laws.
Principle of Ease in Religion
The concluding statement "You have been sent to make things easy; you have not been sent to make things difficult" establishes one of the core principles of Islamic jurisprudence. Scholars throughout history have referenced this hadith when deriving rulings that accommodate people's circumstances while maintaining religious obligations.
Pedagogical Approach
The Prophet's methodology here exemplifies ideal Islamic education: correcting errors with wisdom, addressing the root cause of ignorance rather than merely the outward manifestation, and teaching through practical demonstration rather than harsh rebuke.