Mohammad Rafoqie
Junior Member
Washing away the Sins by Ablution
By Mohammad Rafique Etesame
Abu Huraira (R.A) reported from Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) said,” When a Muslim washes his face (in course of ablution), every sin he contemplated with his eyes, will be washed away from his face along with water, or with the last drop of water; when he washes his hands, every sin they wrought will be effaced from his hands with the water, or with the last drop of water; and when he washes his feet, every sin towards which his feet have walked, will be washed away with the water or with the last drop of water with the result that he comes out pure from all sins." (Muslim Book 2, Number 475)
Usman bin Affan (R.A.) reported from The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said,” He who performed ablution well, his sins would come out from his body, even coming out from under his nails." (Muslim Book 2, Number 476)
These Ahadith reveals that all (minor) sins are washed away of a faithful believer when he performs ablution for offering prayers and he becomes pure from all these sins. As for the major sins like Shirk (ascribing partners for Allah the most high), disobedience of parents, killing anyone unlawfully and false oath etc. These sins cannot be forgiven but by repentance. And forgiving the minor sins by ablution is the great mercy of God for His slaves.
But it does not mean that a believer remains constant in committing sins hoping that his sins will be removed by ablution. This is wrong thinking because faith is between fear (from Allah) and hope (of His mercy). And a believer, who fears from Allah, does not dare to commit sins and hops for Allah’s mercy for washing away his past sins.