How can the Hadith "Were it not that I would overburden my Ummah, I would have ordered them to perform ablution for every prayer" be reconciled with the Hadith "No one maintains his ablution except a believer"?
There is no contradiction between the two hadiths. The first hadith indicates the desirability of renewing ablution for every prayer for one who is not in a state of minor ritual impurity, while it is obligatory for one who is impure to perform ablution. As for the hadith: "None maintains his ablution except a believer," it encourages continuous maintenance of ablution. Some scholars have held that ablution here encompasses both outward and inward purity, and that "believer" refers to one whose faith is complete.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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