The Importance of Ablution and Day of Judgement

📖Sahih al-Bukhari 136
Narrated Nu`am Al-Mujmir: Once I went up the roof of the mosque, along with Abu Huraira. He performed ablution and said, “I heard the Prophet ﷺ saying, ‘On the Day of Resurrection, my followers will be called Al-Ghurr-ul-Muhajjalun from the trace of ablution, and whoever can increase the area of his radiance should do so (i.e. by performing ablution regularly).’”

Description:

The Prophet ﷺ beautifully described how his followers will be distinguished on the Day of Judgment by light shining from their faces, hands, and feet – the areas washed during wudu (ablution). The phrase “Al-Ghurr-ul-Muhajjalun” refers to horses marked with white on the forehead and legs – symbols of beauty, honor, and distinction, This light will be the divine badge of identity for believers – not because of magic, but because they obeyed Allah’s command to purify themselves in this world.

1. Obedience to Divine Command: These believers are honored not randomly, but because they followed the command in 📖 Quran 5:6 to purify themselves before prayer.
   Their light is the reward for their obedience and spiritual discipline.
2. Physical and Spiritual Purity: Wudu is more than hygiene. It’s a ritual of spiritual readiness, humbling oneself before Allah five times a day. That kind of mindset isn’t outdated – it’s rare.
3. Scientific wisdom: Today, science confirms that regular washing reduces stress, enhances alertness, and improves health. Islam prescribed it 1400+ years ago.
4. Future event: The hadith describes what happens on the Day of Resurrection – a future reality. How can something about the unseen future be labeled outdated?

But Wudu Alone Is Not Enough

This hadith does NOT mean that just doing wudu guarantees entry into Paradise, If someone performs ablution, but still commits evil, violates others’ rights, or openly disobeys Allah, then the light of wudu won’t save them.

Examples of Major Sins (Even if Someone Does Wudu):

1. Shirk (associating partners with Allah)
   📖Quran 4:48
   “Indeed, Allah does not forgive associating partners with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills…”

2. Zina (fornication/adultery)
   📖Quran 24:2
   “The woman and the man guilty of adultery — lash each one of them with a hundred lashes…”

3. Riba (usury/interest)
   📖Quran 2:275
   “Those who consume interest cannot stand [on the Day of Resurrection] except as one beaten by Satan into insanity…”

4. Backbiting and slander
   📖Quran 49:12
   “…And do not backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it…”

5. Lying, oppression, cheating, arrogance, and hypocrisy
   All of these cancel out the spiritual reward of wudu if not repented.

Quranic Context:

📖Quran 5:6
O you who have believed! When you rise to perform prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows, and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles…
This command is the root of the light mentioned in the hadith – the believers obeyed this command regularly.

📖Quran 24:35
Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The example of His light is like a niche within which is a lamp…
This shows the spiritual connection between divine light and those who follow His guidance.

📖Quran 57:12
“On the Day you will see the believing men and believing women, their light proceeding before them and on their right, [it will be said], ‘Good tidings for you this Day of gardens beneath which rivers flow…’”
This verse confirms what the hadith describes – light will be a symbol of reward and purity for the believers.