Hadith Reference:
Buraydah (رضي الله عنه) narrated:"One morning, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) called Bilāl and said: 'O Bilāl, what deed has led you to precede me into Paradise? Every time I entered Paradise, I heard the sound of your footsteps ahead of me.’
In the same narration, Bilāl (رضي الله عنه) responded:
"O Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), I never gave the Adhān except that I prayed two rak‘ahs afterward, and I never became impure (lost my wudu) except that I immediately performed wudu. I considered it an obligation upon myself to pray two rak‘ahs for the sake of Allah after every wudu."
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "It is because of these two acts that you were granted this honor."
[Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī: 3789 – Ḥadīth is Ṣaḥīḥ]
Authenticity & References:
This ḥadīth is authentic (ṣaḥīḥ) and is recorded in:- Musnad Imām Aḥmad bin Ḥanbal (5/354)
- Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī (3789)
- Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Ḥibbān (7044)
Key Lessons Derived from the Hadith:
➊ Adhān is essential for establishing prayers, and appointing a Muezzin is encouraged.The Muezzin holds a great status in Islam. A Muezzin who prays two rak‘ahs after giving Adhān and remains in a state of wudu will attain Paradise.
➋ Remaining in a state of wudu is a great act of worship.
A person who frequently remains in wudu is protected from evil influences, including devils and sorcery.
➌ If wudu is broken, one should renew it immediately.
This hadith proves that Bilāl (رضي الله عنه) never remained in a state of impurity for long—he would immediately renew his wudu.
➍ The Prophet (ﷺ) entered Jannah while still alive.
This hadith confirms that the Prophet (ﷺ) was shown Jannah during his lifetime, and he heard the footsteps of Bilāl (رضي الله عنه) before him.
[This content has been taken from the book Ḍiyāʾ al-Islām fī Sharḥ al-Imām bi-Aḥādīth al-Aḥkām by Shaykh Taqī al-Dīn Abī al-Fatḥ, translated by Mawlānā Maḥmūd Aḥmad Ghaḍanfar.]
