Adapted from the original article by Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Ameenpuri حفظه الله❖ Reverence for the Noble Relics of the Prophet ﷺ
Seeking blessings (tabarruk) from the relics of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was a manifestation of love and veneration shown by the Sahabah رضي الله عنهم. This practice continued among the Tabi‘in and Tabi‘ al-Tabi‘in, reflecting the legacy of the early generations (salaf al-salih).This understanding of tabarruk aligns with the view of the best generations praised in the hadith: “The best of people are those of my generation...” Following their consensus and understanding—ijma‘—is considered a protected and obligatory path in Islam.
❖ Examples of Blessings from the Noble Body of the Prophet ﷺ
➤ Physical closeness:Sahabi Zahir رضي الله عنه lovingly pressed his back against the chest of the Prophet ﷺ when he realized he was being embraced from behind. (Shama’il al-Tirmidhi: 240; Musnad Ahmad: 3/161)
➤ Using water from his ablution:
Companions collected and applied the leftover water from the Prophet ﷺ’s ablution for blessing. (Sahih al-Bukhari: 187, 188; Sahih Muslim: 503)
➤ Blessed touch:
Many narrations describe Sahabah placing the Prophet ﷺ’s blessed hand on their faces or receiving du‘a with his hand on their heads, resulting in healing, blessings, and longevity. (Sahih al-Bukhari: 3553; Sahih Muslim: 2324)
❖ Blessings from His Saliva, Sweat, and Hair
✔ Saliva: Used in the tahnik (ritual of rubbing date and saliva in a newborn’s mouth), as seen in the birth of ‘Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr and ‘Abdullah ibn Abi Talhah. (Sahih al-Bukhari: 5469; Sahih Muslim: 2144)✔ Sweat: Collected by Umm Sulaym رضي الله عنها and used as perfume due to its fragrance. (Sahih Muslim: 2331)
✔ Hair: Distributed by the Prophet ﷺ after shaving and preserved by companions. (Sahih al-Bukhari: 171; Sahih Muslim: 1305)
❖ Clothing, Utensils, and Belongings
➤ Clothing: Used in shrouding the Prophet’s ﷺ daughter, or kept for spiritual benefit, such as a companion who used the gifted garment as a shroud. (Sahih al-Bukhari: 1257, 1277, 6036)➤ Water skin: Umm Sulaym رضي الله عنها cut off the spout after the Prophet ﷺ drank from it, preserving it for blessing. (Musnad Ahmad: 6/431)
➤ Golden coin: Jabir رضي الله عنه kept a gifted gold coin as a lifelong treasure, signifying the value attached to anything touched or given by the Prophet ﷺ. (Sahih al-Bukhari: 2309; Sahih Muslim: 715)
❖ His Blessed Stick and Mucus
✔ Stick: Given to ‘Abdullah ibn Unays رضي الله عنه as a sign of their spiritual bond, buried with him as a token of honor. (Musnad Ahmad: 3/486 – Hasan)✔ Mucus: When the Prophet ﷺ spat, companions would catch it and rub it on themselves for blessing. (Sahih al-Bukhari: 2731)
❖ Clarification on
While some show excessive reverence to poems like Qasidah al-Burdah—claiming the Prophet ﷺ gifted a cloak in a dream—this is based on unverified dreams and includes problematic lines that can contradict Islamic creed. Scholars have rightly warned against taking such poetry as authoritative.❖ Conclusion: A Living Example of Love and Honor
The actions of the Sahabah, Tabi‘in, and their successors reflect a deep, practical love for the Prophet ﷺ. Seeking blessings from his relics was a means of spiritual closeness, not an act of worship. These examples serve as inspirations for future generations, emphasizing that the Prophet ﷺ’s remembrance and reverence should remain alive in the hearts and practices of believers.Their devotion was not limited to verbal expressions but was visibly manifested in their eagerness to collect and honor everything associated with the Prophet ﷺ. May we too nurture a similar reverence, grounded in knowledge and adherence to the authentic tradition of the early righteous generations.
