Question
There is a hadith from the Prophet ﷺ about 'perfecting ablution.' What is this hadith, and is it considered a Sunnah?
Answer
I say, and with God's help: The encouragement to perform ablution thoroughly has been established. In Sahih Muslim, from the hadith of Abu Huraira, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "Shall I not guide you to what Allah erases sins with and raises ranks by?" They said: "Yes, O Messenger of Allah." He said: "Completing the ablution in times of difficulty, frequent steps to the mosques, and waiting for prayer after prayer; that is the true bond." And Al-Qadi Iyad said in Ikmal al-Mu'allim 2: 31: "Completing the ablution in times of difficulty"; meaning: perfecting it and ensuring it is sufficient despite severe cold, body pain, and similar hardships.