Washing hands before eating does away with destitution (dependence)

Washing hands before eating does away with destitution (dependence)

It has been reported on the authority of Sayyidunā ‘Abdullah ibn AbbâsrađiyAllāhu ánhu that the Master of Madīnah, the Noble ProphetşallAllāhu álayhi wa sallam has stated,

Performing Wudū [Ablution] [of eating] before and after eating does away with destitution [dependence], and this is a Sunnah of the Prophets álayhis salâm.[1]

Wudū before eating augments good in the home

Sayyidunā Anas rađiyAllāhu ánhu narrates that the Merciful and the Impeccable Prophet şallAllāhu álayhi wa sallam stated,

Whosoever prefers that Allâh Almighty augment goodness [khayr] in his house should perform Wudū when food is served and when it is taken away.[2]

The reward for doing Wudū before eating

The Mother of the Believers, Sayyidāh ‘Ayesha Siddîqah rađiyAllāhu ánha has narrated that the Beloved Prophet şallAllāhu álayhi wa sallamhas stated,

To make Wudū before eating is one good deed and to make Wudūafter eating is two good deeds.[3]

Dear Islamic Brothers! One should not be lazy in washing hands before and after eating. By Allâh Almighty! The importance of a ‘single good deed’ will only be apparent on the Day of Judgment, especially to the one who will be in dire need of a single good deed, and none of his relatives would be prepared to grant (transfer) that single good deed to him.

Protection from Satan, the accursed

The Renowned, the Acclaimed, and Beloved Prophet şallAllāhu álayhi wa sallam has stated,

Performing Wudū before and after eating (meaning washing the hands and mouth) augments one’s sustenance [rizq] and keeps Satan away.[4]

Remedies that prevent illness

Dear Islamic Brothers! The Wudū prescribed for eating is not the same as the Wudū for Salāh. Unlike the Wudū for Salāh, the Wudū [Ablution] for eating you wash both hands up to the wrists and wash and rinse your mouth. Muftī Aĥmad Yâr Khân Na’eemī states that,

In the Torah, people were ordained to wash their hands and mouth twice; once before eating and once after. However, the Jews erased the former and only preserved the latter. The wisdom in washing the hands and mouth before eating is that these parts of the body [used while eating] are prone to dirt and filth as the daily activities and chores are carried out. Similarly, after the food is consumed, the hands and mouth are stained with food. Therefore, hands and mouth should be washed on both occasions. Gargling, rinsing and washing the mouth protect one from the likes of pyorrhoea. Furthermore, a habitual user ofMiswāk in Wudū remains safe from various teeth and stomach ailments. Moreover, one should make it a habit of urinating immediately after eating as this prevents the occurrence of various diseases related to liver and kidney. This has been observed to be highly effective.[5]

[1] Imâm at-Tabarânī, Mu’jam al-Awsat, vol. 5, pp. 231, Ĥadīth 7166

[2] Imâm Ibn Majah, as-Sunan, vol. 4, pp. 9, Ĥadīth 3260

[3] Imâm as-Suyūtī, al-Jami as-Saghīr, pp. 574, Ĥadīth 9682

[4] Imâm al-Hindī, Kanz al-Ummâl, vol. 15, pp. 106, Ĥadīth 40755

[5] Muftī Aĥmad Yâr Khân Na’eemī, Mir’at al-Manajīh, vol. 6, pp. 32