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Hadith 426

أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْأَعْلَى ، قال : حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدٌ ، عَنْ شُعْبَةَ ، عَنْ مُخَوَّلٍ ، عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ، عَنْ جَابِرٍ ، قال : كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ " إِذَا اغْتَسَلَ أَفْرَغَ عَلَى رَأْسِهِ ثَلَاثًا " .
´It was narrated that Jabir said:` "When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) performed Ghusl, he would pour water on his head three times."
Hadith Reference سنن نسائي / كتاب الغسل والتيمم / 426
Hadith Grading الألبانی: صحيح  |  زبیر علی زئی: متفق عليه
Hadith Takhrij «صحیح البخاری/الغسل 4 (255)، (تحفة الأشراف 2642)، مسند احمد 3/298، وقد أخرجہ: صحیح مسلم/الحیض 11 (329)، نحوہ (صحیح)»
Explanation & Benefits
Maulana Dawood Raz
Explanation:
He was called the uncle’s son figuratively. In reality, he was the cousin of their father, i.e., the cousin of Zayn al-Abidin, because Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah was the brother of Hasan and Husayn (radi Allahu anhuma), who is the father of Hasan, who had asked this question from Jabir (radi Allahu anhu). The correspondence between the chapter heading and the narrations mentioned is evident: the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would pour water over his blessed head three times during the ritual bath (ghusl) of major impurity. Thus, this is the prescribed (sunnah) method. From this, it is also established that the practice of the Noble Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) is, in every circumstance, worthy of being followed.
Source: Sahih Bukhari: Commentary by Maulana Dawood Raz, Page: 256
Shaykh Abdul Sattar al-Hammad
Hadith Commentary:

Hazrat Jabir (radi Allahu anhu) said that although the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) had more hair than you and was more fond of cleanliness, even then he poured water on his head three times and sufficed with that amount. From this, it is understood that cleanliness and purification are certainly achieved with this quantity.
To consider cleanliness dependent on more than this is a sign of self-admiration, or it is due to doubt and misgivings, which should not be given importance.
(Fath al-Bari: 1/478)


From this, it is understood that one should ask scholars about matters related to religion, and a scholar should not be stingy in giving answers. Likewise, the seeker of truth should have the attitude that when the truth becomes clear, he should not make excuses or arguments in accepting it.
(‘Umdat al-Qari: 3/24)


From this, it is understood that the question of Hasan ibn Muhammad is different from the question mentioned by Abu Ja‘far; in both incidents, the one addressing Hazrat Jabir (radi Allahu anhu) is Hasan ibn Muhammad.
In the previously mentioned incident, he objected to the quantity of water, saying that such an amount is not sufficient for him, and here he objected to the manner, saying that in this way his hair does not become clean.
At the time of the first incident, Abu Ja‘far was present, whereas at the time of this incident, he was not present.
(Fath al-Bari: 1/478)


Hazrat Jabir (radi Allahu anhu) calling Hasan ibn Muhammad the cousin of Abu Ja‘far is metaphorical, because in reality, he is the cousin of Abu Ja‘far al-Baqir’s father, Zayn al-‘Abidin, on the basis that Zayn al-‘Abidin is the son of Hazrat Husayn (radi Allahu anhu), and Hasan is the son of Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah, who is the son of Hazrat Ali (radi Allahu anhu). Thus, Hazrat Husayn and Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah are paternal brothers.
Therefore, Hasan is not the cousin of Abu Ja‘far, but rather the cousin of his father, Zayn al-‘Abidin, and Hazrat Jabir (radi Allahu anhu) metaphorically referred to him as Abu Ja‘far’s cousin.
(Fath al-Bari: 1/478)


A woman named Hanafiyyah was the wife of Hazrat Ali (radi Allahu anhu), whom he married after the death of Hazrat Fatimah (radi Allahu anha). From her, a son named Muhammad was born, and he became more famous by his mother’s name than his father’s.
It is said that most of his life was spent with Yazid ibn Mu‘awiyah; for this reason, or perhaps people did not consider it good to attribute him to Hazrat Ali (radi Allahu anhu) so that familial rivalry with Hazrat Ali (radi Allahu anhu) would remain.
And Allah knows best.
It is this Muhammad’s son, Hasan, who debates and discusses with Hazrat Jabir (radi Allahu anhu) regarding ritual bath (ghusl).
Source: Hidayat al-Qari: Commentary on Sahih Bukhari, Urdu, Page: 256
Maulana Dawood Raz
Explanation:
The person speaking was Hasan ibn Muhammad ibn Hanafiyyah. Hazrat Jabir radi Allahu anhu admonished him sternly. From this, it is understood that those who make frivolous objections against hadith should be admonished strictly, and it is in no way permissible to employ personal opinion, analogy (qiyas), or interpretation (ta'wil) in opposition to hadith.

«والحنفية كانت زوجة على تزوجها بعد فاطمة فولدت لها محمدا فاشتهربالنسبة اليها .» [فتح الباري]

That is, the woman named Hanafiyyah was the wife of Hazrat Ali radi Allahu anhu, whom he married after the passing of Sayyidah Fatimah radi Allahu anha. From her womb, a child named Muhammad was born, and he became more well-known by his mother’s name rather than his father’s.
Source: Sahih Bukhari: Commentary by Maulana Dawood Raz, Page: 252
Shaykh Abdul Sattar al-Hammad
Hadith Commentary:

In the narration, Abu Ja‘far refers to Hazrat Baqir, whose name is Muhammad bin Husayn bin Ali bin Abi Talib rahimahullah.
His father is Hazrat Zayn al-‘Abidin Ali bin Husayn. In reality, there was some disagreement among these individuals regarding the ritual bath (ghusl) of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, so they presented themselves before Hazrat Jabir radi Allahu anhu to investigate the matter. The one who asked the question was only Hazrat Baqir, but since all of them desired clarification, the question was attributed to all of them collectively.
When Hazrat Jabir radi Allahu anhu explained that one sa‘ (a specific measure) is sufficient for the ritual bath (ghusl), a person present in the gathering said that such a small amount is insufficient for the ritual bath.
The one who said this was Hazrat Hasan, the son of Hazrat Muhammad bin Hanafiyyah. Since his manner was not appropriate, Hazrat Jabir radi Allahu anhu, in a tone of admonition, said: “This amount may not be sufficient for you; perhaps you have more hair on your head or you are excessively cautious.”
But for the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, this amount was sufficient, even though he had more hair on his blessed head than you.
Moreover, he was extremely cautious in every matter, so the only reason for insufficiency could be that you are excessive in your use of water.
From this hadith, it is also understood that there is no harm in sternly explaining to someone who disputes against the hadith.
(Fath al-Bari: 1/475)


According to this narration, Hazrat Abu Ja‘far Baqir asked Hazrat Jabir radi Allahu anhu about the amount of water required for the ritual bath (ghusl), to which Hazrat Jabir radi Allahu anhu replied that one sa‘ is sufficient.
Hasan bin Muhammad bin Hanafiyyah said that it would not be sufficient for him, and this was also answered.
Further, Hasan bin Muhammad bin Hanafiyyah’s question regarding the manner of performing the ritual bath (ghusl) is mentioned: What is the method of the ritual bath for major impurity (janabah)? Hazrat Jabir radi Allahu anhu replied that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam would take three handfuls of water and pour them over his head, then pour water over his entire body. Upon this, Hasan bin Muhammad said, “I have a lot of hair.”
Hazrat Jabir radi Allahu anhu replied, “The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam had more hair than you.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, al-Ghusl, Hadith: 256)
Source: Hidayat al-Qari: Commentary on Sahih Bukhari, Urdu, Page: 252
Shaykh Abdul Sattar al-Hammad
Hadith Commentary:
Isma‘ili has added that Shu‘bah says: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to do this in the ritual bath (ghusl) for major impurity (janabah). When Jabir (radi Allahu anhu) narrated this hadith, a man from Banu Hatim said:
“My head hair is very thick.”
Jabir (radi Allahu anhu) replied:
“The hair of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was more and better than your hair.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 252)
From this it is understood that pouring water over the head three times during the ritual bath (ghusl) for major impurity (janabah) is sufficient, even if the person performing the bath has a lot of hair on his head.
(‘Umdat al-Qari: 21/3)
Source: Hidayat al-Qari: Commentary on Sahih Bukhari, Urdu, Page: 255
Shaykh Maulana Abdul Aziz Alvi
Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues:
The literal meaning of "zulm" (oppression/injustice) is "placing something in other than its proper place" (وَضْعُ الشَّيْءِ فِيْ غَیْرِ مَحَلِهِ), that is, to do something inappropriately or out of place. In this sense, even a minor and insignificant sin is zulm, and the gravest of sins is also zulm. In other words, zulm is a comprehensive and gradational concept, whose various forms and particulars are not all of the same degree.

For this reason, this verse became a cause of discomfort for the Companions (radi Allahu anhum), because minor sins are committed by every human being; no one except the infallible (ma‘sum) is free from them. Therefore, they asked the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam): Who is there that does not commit zulm? So he clarified: Here, zulm does not refer to every kind of zulm, but rather to that zulm which, when combined with faith (iman), becomes a cause for its erasure.

That is, what is meant here is shirk (associating partners with Allah), which destroys a person's faith. Other than shirk, there is no sin that renders faith null and void.
Source: Tuhfat al-Muslim: Commentary on Sahih Muslim, Page: 328
Shaykh Maulana Abdul Aziz Alvi
Hadith Commentary:
Vocabulary of the Hadith:
:
Naskh (نَسْخٌ):
The literal meaning is to remove,
to eliminate.
It is said:
"Naskhat al-shamsu al-zill" — "The sunlight removed the shadow."
The second meaning is: to copy,
as in:
"Nasakhtu al-kitab" — "I copied the book."

Benefits and Issues:
The noble Companions (radi Allahu anhum) understood the (ma) in ﴿مَا فِي أَنفُسِكُمْ﴾ as general,
that whatever thoughts (wasawis) come to the heart,
or whatever ideas occur,
or whatever beliefs and thoughts become established in the heart,
all are included in this.
Whereas the thoughts or wasawis that arise and pass in the heart
are not within a person’s control.
If there were accountability for these as well, then no human could escape accountability,
therefore this verse became a cause of extreme worry and anxiety for them,
and they presented themselves before the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam),
whereas the apparent meaning was not intended.
Accountability is only for those thoughts, views, or beliefs and concepts that become established in the heart by a person’s conscious choice,
therefore you (the Prophet) replied:
Do not adopt the way of the People of the Book,
that even in matters within their control,
their response was "sami‘na wa ‘asayna" (we have heard but we will not obey).
The noble Companions (radi Allahu anhum) submitted in full obedience,
so in the next verse, the apparent meaning was negated and the meaning of the first verse was clarified.
The change, alteration, or removal of the apparent meaning was termed as naskh,
but the meaning of abrogation of a ruling is not intended — that previously the ruling was that there would be accountability even for wasawis and thoughts
which are not within a person’s control, and then with ﴿لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّـهُ نَفْسًا﴾ this ruling was abrogated —
rather, Allah’s intent from the beginning was only for those beliefs and actions that become established in the heart.
Source: Tuhfat al-Muslim: Commentary on Sahih Muslim, Page: 329