Hadith on Repeating Wudu Due to Lowering the Garment Below the Ankles During Salah
Compiled by: Tauheed.com | Verified by: Qari Usama bin Abdus Salam (Hafizahullah)❖ Question:
In which Hadith sources is the following narration found? Are there any weak or unknown narrators in its chain?
Narration:
Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ saw a man performing Salah with his lower garment hanging below his ankles. The Prophet ﷺ instructed him:
"اذْهَبْ فَتَوَضَّأْ"
“Go and make wudu (ablution).”
The man went and made wudu, then returned. The Prophet ﷺ again said:
“Go and make wudu.”
He went and made wudu a second time. When he returned again, someone asked the Prophet ﷺ:
"O Messenger of Allah, why did you instruct him to make wudu, then remain silent?"
He ﷺ replied:
"Indeed, he was praying while his garment was hanging below his ankles, and Allah does not accept the prayer of a man whose lower garment is below the ankles."
❖ Hadith Sources and References
This narration has been recorded in multiple Hadith compilations by classical scholars:
1. Sunan Abi Dawud
- Author: Imam Abu Dawud (d. 275 AH)
- Chapter: Bāb al-Isbāl fī al-Ṣalāh (The Chapter on Lowering the Garment During Salah)
- Hadith No.: 638
2. Musnad Ahmad
- Author: Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (d. 241 AH)
- Reference: Hadith No. 18916
3. Sunan al-Nasa’i al-Kubra
- Author: Imam al-Nasa’i (d. 303 AH)
- Chapter: Bāb man ṣallā wa huwa musbil izārahu
- Hadith No.: 9704
4. Al-Mu’jam al-Kabir (al-Tabarani)
- Author: Imam al-Tabarani (d. 360 AH)
- Hadith No.: 3941
5. Sunan Ibn Majah
- Author: Imam Ibn Majah (d. 273 AH)
- Chapter: Bāb man jarra thawbahu khuyalāʾ (Concerning He Who Trails His Garment Out of Arrogance)
- Hadith No.: 1242
❖ Verification of Narrators
One of the narrators in this chain is Abu Ja‘far al-Muʾadhdhin, about whom there has been some discussion regarding his reliability. However, several prominent scholars have supported his credibility:
Scholars Who Authenticated Him:
- Ibn Ḥibbān: Mentioned him in “Mawārid al-Ẓam’ān” (Hadith No. 2406) and considered him trustworthy (thiqqah).
- Imam al-Tirmidhi: Declared this Hadith as ḥasan in Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhi (Hadith No. 3448).
- Imam al-Nawawi: Authenticated this Hadith in Riyāḍ al-Ṣāliḥīn.
- Ibn Ḥajar al-ʿAsqalāni: Affirmed Abu Ja‘far’s credibility in Takhreej al-Adhkār.
- Imam Abu Hātim al-Rāzi: Cited Yahya ibn Abī Kathīr, who narrated from Abu Ja‘far, and Yahya was known to narrate only from reliable transmitters.
❖ Conclusion on Authenticity
Considering the above scholarly endorsements, Abu Ja‘far al-Muʾadhdhin cannot be deemed unknown or weak. On the contrary, the collective authentication from the scholars elevates this narration to the level of ḥasan (good).
Thus, the Hadith is authentic in meaning and establishes the seriousness of isbāl (lowering the garment below the ankles), especially during Salah.
