Hadith

Cleaning the utensils with one's finger after eating

Q: Is the statement below correct:

UTENSIL SEEKS FORGIVENESS

It was the practice of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) that after eating he would lick the utensil clean with his finger and not leave behind even a tiny speck of food and drink. He would even lick his fingers clean of any food particles. Rasulullaah Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam ordered his followers to also do the same, as has been mentioned in many Ahadith. In fact, great virtues have been mentioned for this.

In a narration of Tirmizi it has been mentioned that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "The one who eats in a plate, then licks it clean (with his finger), the utensil seeks forgiveness for him."

In another narration it is mentioned that the utensil prays for him in the words: " May Allah free you from the fire as you have freed me from shaitaan (by not leaving any food behind for shaitaan)" (Mishkaat).

One should therefore always wipe the utensil clean and not leave behind anything for shaitaan.

Hadith question

Q:

1. Volume 1, Book 12, Number 802 (Sahih Bukhari): Narrated by Abu Ma'bad (the freed slave of Ibn 'Abbas) Ibn 'Abbas told me, "In the lifetime of the Prophet it was the custom to celebrate Allah's praises aloud after the compulsory congregational prayers." Ibn 'Abbas further said, "When I heard the Dhikr, I would learn that the compulsory congregational prayer had ended."

Why don't people do loud zikr after prayer, and most people think that Barelvis do it and they think it is bidah. So what is the correct Islamic view?

2. Volume 1, Book 12, Number 747 (Sahih Bukhari): Narrated by Abu Huraira The Prophet said, "Say Amin" when the Imam says it and if the Amin of any one of you coincides with that of the angels then all his past sins will be forgiven." Ibn Shihab said, "Allah's Apostle used to Say "Amin."

How can we know that the imam has said amin after prayer if he does not say it aloud. So to follow this hadith the imam needs to say amin for us to say amin. So many imaams in Pakistan don't say the amin out aloud, and say it quietly. So why don't they say it aloud when the hadith clearly explains to say it aloud for the imam.

The story of a Sahaabi who could not recite the kalimah at the time of death

Q: I would like to ask Mufti Saheb regarding this story. How about status of this story? Can we use this for targhib and tarhib?

At the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him), there was a young man named Alqamah. He was very diligent in obeying Allah by engaging in prayer and fasting and spending in charity. Then he fell ill and his illness became serious. His wife went to the Prophet and said, "My husband, Alqamah, is on his deathbed. I therefore came to tell you, Messenger of Allah, about his condition." The Prophet (then) sent for Ammar or Suhaib and Bilal, and told them to go to him (Alqamah) and have him repeat the Shahadah. Thereupon they went to him and found him in the agony of death. They asked him to say, "La illaha illa Allah," but his tongue was unable to pronounce it. At that, they came and told the Messenger of Allah that he was unable to repeat the Shahadah. The Prophet asked, "Is either of his parents alive?" He was told, "Messenger of Allah, his mother is, but she is very old." The Prophet sent her a message that if it was convenient for her (that is, is she was able to go out), she should come to him; otherwise she should stay in her house and the Prophet would come to her. The Prophet's messenger came to her and informed her of the Prophet's message. She said, "May my life be a ransom for him, it is my pleasure to go to him!" She then stood up, leaning on her walking stick, and came to the Prophet and greeted him. The Prophet returned her greeting and said to her, "Umm Alqamah, tell me the truth, for otherwise Allah Most High will reveal the truth to me! What is the situation concerning your son, Alqamah?" She replied, "Messenger of Allah, he prays much, fasts a great deal, and spends a great amount in charity." The Prophet said, "And what about yourself?" Some portion due to limitation of words. It was reported from Ahmed and Tibrani

Making wudhu with cold water

Q: I came across a hadith in which making a complete wudu under difficult circumstances is praiseworthy ("إسباغ الوضوء على المكاره"); one interpretation being when the water is cold. Can we choose to make wudu with cold tap water with the intention of earning this extra reward, even though warm water is also available? Or is the reward only when no warm alternative is available at all?