Muhammad ibn Hatim ibn Maymun narrated to me, Abd al-Rahman ibn Mahdi narrated to us, Mu'awiyah ibn Salih narrated to us, from Rabi'ah, meaning ibn Yazid, from Abu Idris al-Khawlani, from Uqbah ibn Amir. And Abu Uthman narrated to me, from Jubayr ibn Nufayr, from Uqbah ibn Amir, who said: We were responsible for herding the camels, and my turn came, so I brought them back in the evening, and I found the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, standing and speaking to the people. I caught from his words: "There is no Muslim who performs ablution and perfects his ablution, then stands and prays two rak'ahs, turning to them with his heart and face, except that Paradise becomes obligatory for him." He said: So I said, "How excellent is this!" Then someone in front of me said, "The one before it is even better." So I looked, and it was Umar. He said: "I saw you just now." He said: "There is none among you who performs ablution and completes it, then says: I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the servant of Allah and His Messenger, except that the eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him, and he may enter from whichever of them he wishes."
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Uqba bin 'Amir al-Juhani reported: Verily the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said and then narrated (the hadith) like one (mentioned above) except (this) that he said: He who performed ablution and said: I testify that there is no god but Allah, the One, there is no associate with Him and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger.
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Related hadith on this topic
Explanation & Benefits
Hafiz Muhammad Ameen
151. Commentary:
➊ Ablution (wudu) should be performed in an excellent manner.
➋ It is recommended (mustahabb) to offer two units (rak‘ahs) of prayer after ablution, and they should be performed with complete humility and submissiveness, because this is a means of making Paradise obligatory.
➌ Glad tidings of dying upon faith are also given to the person who performs this act, because only a believing soul will enter Paradise.
Source: Sunan Nasa'i: Translation and Benefits by Shaykh Hafiz Muhammad Amin Hafizullah, Page: 151
Shaykh Umar Farooq Saeedi
906. Commentary:
The only ablution (wudu) that can be considered good is that which is in accordance with the Sunnah of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam: the limbs should be washed completely, there should be no wastage of water, and one should recite “Bismillah” at the beginning and the supplication at the end.
➋ The apparent way to avoid thoughts and whispers of the heart is not to look here and there, but to keep one’s gaze and face focused on the place of prostration. In terms of meaning, one should reflect upon the meanings and implications of the verses and remembrances (adhkar), and worship in such a manner as if Allah is watching him, or as if he is seeing Allah. And he should consider that perhaps this is his last prayer. In addition, the company of righteous scholars and frequent study of the chapters on asceticism (zuhd) and heart-softening (riqaq) in the books of hadith are among the best means for a person to attain excellence in worship. And he should make this transmitted supplication his regular practice: «اللهم اعني على ذكرك وشكرك وحسن عبادتك» “O Allah! Help me to remember You, to thank You, and to worship You in the best manner.” [سنن ابودائود حديث 1522]
Source: Sunan Abu Dawood – Commentary by Shaykh Umar Farooq Saeedi, Page: 906
Shaykh Safi ur-Rahman Mubarakpuri
Lexical Explanation:EB
«اِلَّا فُتِحَتْ» This is for «اِلَّا» exception; its purpose is to make an exception from the negation present in the initial statement, and this style of expression is adopted in speech to create exclusivity (hasr).
«فُتِحَتْ» is in the passive voice; in this case, the meaning is that on the Day of Resurrection, they will be opened. Expressing it in the past tense is intended to indicate that its occurrence is certain and definite. Just as there is certainty about a past event, similarly, its occurrence is also a definite and inevitable matter.
«وَزَادَ» That is, Imam Tirmidhi, after narrating «مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ», has further narrated the words of «اَللّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِي۔۔۔ إلخ».
In «اَلتَّوَّابُ», the "waw" is emphasized (mushaddad). Its meaning is: a person who repents abundantly.
Hadith Narrator:
SR Sayyiduna Umar radi Allahu anhu ER refers to Umar bin Khattab bin Nufayl bin Abd al-Uzza radi Allahu anhu. His kunyah is Abu Hafs. He was a unique personality. He was the second caliph of the Muslims. He filled the horizons of the earth with governance, justice, and conquests. In the era of ignorance, he was the ambassador of the Quraysh tribe. In the 6th year of Prophethood, in Dhu al-Hijjah, he entered the fold of Islam by pledging allegiance at the hand of the Prophet in Dar al-Arqam. His brother-in-law Sa'id and his sister Fatimah radi Allahu anhuma played a major role in his acceptance of Islam. He participated in all the battles (ghazawat). During his caliphate, a flood of conquests surged forth. The regions of Iraq, Persia, Syria, Egypt, etc., were included within the boundaries of the Islamic state. He attained martyrdom on the 1st of Muharram, 24 AH, due to a murderous attack by Abu Lu'lu', the Magian slave of Mughirah bin Shu'bah radi Allahu anhu.
Source: Bulugh al-Maram: Commentary by Safiur Rahman Mubarakpuri, Page: 52