Is it recommended to perform ablution (wudu') when reading and touching books of Hadith? And did Imam Malik perform ablution when narrating from the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
It is recommended for the reciter of to purify themselves when reading the words of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) out of reverence and respect for him. This was the practice of the righteous predecessors, such as Qatadah and Dirar ibn Murrah, and Imam Malik, who would not narrate hadith unless he was in a state of ablution and wearing his best clothes, out of awe and veneration. Al-Nawawi and Al-Sakhawi both explicitly stated the desirability of this, considering it a meritorious act rather than an obligation.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/2644
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 2644
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy