Tirmidhi

Hadith Commentary:
Vocabulary of the Hadith:
(1)
Athwar:
Plural of thawr,
pieces.
(2)
Aqit:
Cheese.

Commentary:
(1)
By "that which has been altered by fire" is meant everything that has been prepared by cooking or roasting over fire.

(2)
The position of Abdullah radi Allahu anhu was that this ruling is not obligatory, because he himself saw the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam eat meat and then pray without performing ablution (wudu) again. Therefore, he posed the question to Abu Hurairah radi Allahu anhu to draw his attention to this. However, it is likely that Abu Hurairah radi Allahu anhu did not witness this action of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, which is why he remained firm on his own position. It is also possible that Abu Hurairah radi Allahu anhu was aware of this permission, but he wished that people would choose what is superior.

(3)
When a ruling in a hadith is stated in general terms, it should be understood as general, until other evidence indicates that a particular case is excluded from this generality.

(4)
The ahadith of the next chapter indicate that this ruling is not obligatory, i.e., it is not necessary to perform ablution (wudu) after eating or drinking something cooked over fire; rather, it is better and more virtuous.