Hadith Reference:
Imran bin Husain (رضي الله عنه) narrated:*"We were on a journey with the Prophet (ﷺ). During the journey, he stopped, asked for water, performed ablution, and called for prayer. He led the people in prayer. After finishing, he noticed a man who had not joined the congregation. The Prophet (ﷺ) asked him: ‘O so-and-so! What prevented you from praying with the people?’ The man replied: ‘I was in a state of major impurity (janabah) and had no water.’ The Prophet (ﷺ) said: ‘You should have used the earth (i.e., performed tayammum), for it would have been sufficient for you.’
Later, as the journey continued, the people complained about thirst. The Prophet (ﷺ) dismounted, called for someone (whose name was Abu Raja, but the narrator, ‘Awf, forgot it). He then called ‘Ali (رضي الله عنه) and instructed him, ‘Go and search for water.’ They went ahead and met a woman who was carrying two water skins on her camel. They asked her, ‘Where is the water?’ She replied, ‘I left water yesterday at this hour, but the people have remained behind.’
They then brought her along. The Prophet (ﷺ) asked for a container, poured water from the two skins into it, closed their openings, and then announced to the people, ‘Drink and let others drink.’ Those who drank, drank to their fill, and those who wished to fill their containers did so. Finally, the Prophet (ﷺ) handed a container of water to the man who had been in a state of janabah and said, ‘Take this and pour it over yourself.’”*
(Bukhari: 344, 348, 3571; Muslim: 283 – Muttafaq ‘Alaih)
Key Points and Lessons:
① Congregational Prayer Should Be Maintained Even During Travel
- The hadith highlights that performing Salah in congregation should be ensured even while traveling.
- A leader (Amir) of the group should be attentive to whether everyone has prayed or not.
② Tayammum is a Substitute for Ghusl When Water is Unavailable
- If water is not available, a person in a state of janabah (major impurity) can perform tayammum (dry ablution).
- However, once water becomes available, ghusl should be performed.
③ The Leader of a Group is Responsible for the Well-being of Others
- The Amir (leader) of a caravan or group should be attentive to the needs of the travelers.
- People can bring their difficulties (such as hunger or thirst) to the leader, and it is the leader’s responsibility to address them.
④ Seeking Help and Borrowing Necessities is Permissible
- It is permissible to request or borrow something essential, such as food or water.
- Drinking and sharing food together brings blessings and unity.
Conclusion
This hadith emphasizes that even while traveling, congregational prayer should not be neglected. It also highlights the flexibility of Islamic rulings—tayammum is allowed in the absence of water, and leaders should be responsible for their people’s needs. The spirit of cooperation and mutual care in Islam is also evident, as people are encouraged to share resources during hardship.
Reference: This content is derived from the book "Diya al-Islam fi Sharh al-Imam bi-Ahadith al-Ahkam" by Sheikh Taqi al-Din Abi al-Fath, translated by Maulana Mahmood Ahmad Ghaznfar.