Jibraeel Alaihis Salaam taught the procedure of Wudhu to Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam
Question:-
Is the narration which states that Jibraeel Alaihis Salaam taught Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam how to perform Wudhu, authentic?
Answer:-
We have found the following excerpt in the authentic books of Seerah: [1]
After Tauheed, the very first lesson imparted to Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam dealt with Wudhu and Salaah. From the outset, Jibreel Alaihis Salaam stamped his heel on the ground, which caused a spring to gush forth. Jibreel Alaihis Salaam then performed Wudhû with this water, whilst Rasûlullâh Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam observed him. Then Rasûlullâh Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam also performed Wudhu accordingly. Thereafter Jibreel Alaihis Salaam performed two Rakaats of Salâh with Rasûlullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam keeping abreast by following him throughout. Following this lesson of Salaah and Wudhu, Rasûlullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam returned home and imparted this ritual to Hadhrat Khadijah Radhiallahu Anha. This narration is recorded in Dalâilu Abî Nu’aim on the authority of Hadrat Ayesha Radhiallahu Anha. Hafiz ‘Asqalani declares the Sanad (chain of narrators) of this Hadith to be weak.
Usamah bin Zaid narrates from his father Zaid bin Harithah that Rasûlullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said: “During the initial stages of prophethood and divine revelation, Jibreel Alaihis Salaam appeared before me and tutored me about Salâh and Wudhû.” This narration is cited in Musnad Ahmad, Sunan Dár Qutni, and Mustadrak Hâkim. With reference to this Hadith, ‘Allamah ‘Azizi writes in the commentary of Jami’ Saghir “The Shaikh says that this Hadith is authentic.”. This Hadith is also mentioned in Sunan Ibn Majah. ‘Allamah Suhayli quotes this Hadith with his own Sanad. Both these Sanads contain a narrator by the name of ‘Abdullah bin Luhay’i who is the subject of critical analysis carried out by the Muhaddithin. Hâfiz Ibn Sayyidun-Nâs says: “Just as this Hadith is narrated by Zaid bin Hârithah, it is also narrated by Bará bin ‘Azib and ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas. According to the narration of Ibn ‘Abbas, this was the very first obligation.
Taking the above-mentioned explanation into consideration, the Hadeeth in question would be authentic and correct to use when explaining Wudhu.
Siratul Mustafa (English) Pg 171-173
السراج المنير شرح الجامع الصغير في حديث البشير النذير (1/ 28)
(آتاني جبريل في أول ما أوحي إلي) بالبناء للمفعول (فعلمني الوضوء) بالضم (في الصلاة فلما فرغ) أي أتمه (أخذ غرفة من الماء فنضح به فرجه) يعني رش بالماء الإزار الذي يلي محل الفرج من الآدمي فيندب ذلك لدفع الوسواس (حم قط ك) عن أسامة بن زيد حب المصطفى وابن حبه (عن أبيه زيد بن حارثة الكلبي مولى المصطفى قال الشيخ حديث صحيح
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Abdur Rahman Abdur Razak
Date: 14 Ramadaan 1444 / 06 April 2023
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai