EATING IN THE LIGHT OF THE SUNNAH – THE BARAKAH OF WASHING THE HANDS
WASHING THE HANDS, A SUNNAH OF THE AMBIYAA عليهم السلام
Hazrat Abdullah ibn Abbās رضي الله عنهما narrates that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم said; “Washing the hands before and after meals repels poverty, and it is the Sunnah of the all the Ambiyaa عليهم السلام.”
(Majma’ Vol.5, Page 13)
Hazrat Anas رضي الله عنه relates that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم said; “The person who desires that his home be filled with goodness should wash his hands before and after partaking of meals.”
(Sunan Ibn Mājah, Vol.2, Page 234)
(SOURCE: THE SUBLIME CONDUCT OF NABĪ صلى الله عليه وسلم by Mufti Muhammad Irshād Ahmad Qasmi)
ANOTHER BENEFIT OF WASHING THE HANDS
Hazrat Anas رضي الله عنه relates that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسلم said; “Washing the hands before and after meals causes one’s sustenance to be abundant, and it opposes Shaitān.”
(Kanz, Vol.19, Page 182)
Washing the hands before and after meals is a Sunnah. Even if a person’s hands are clean, he should still wash them. When utilising forks and knives, the need to wash one’s hands is not perceived, hence a person robs himself of great benefits. Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله has created hands for us, with which we could eat, and attain the benefits attached to washing them before eating.
(SOURCE: THE SUBLIME CONDUCT OF NABĪ صلى الله عليه وسلم by Mufti Muhammad Irshad Ahmad Qasmi)
THE MEANING OF BARAKAH
‘Barakah’ means that the noble purpose for which we are eating will be fulfilled. The food will become a beneficial part of our bodies, and aid us in doing good deeds and displaying good character.
(Khasā’il, Page 116)
Barakah also means that an increase will be perceived in that food, etc.
(Umdatul Qārī, Vol.21, Page 76)
(SOURCE: THE SUBLIME CONDUCT OF NABĪ صلى الله عليه وسلم by Mufti Muhammad Irshad Qāsimī)
AN AMAZING STORY…
A pious man narrated that he had a debt of 300 rupees, and due to straitened circumstances, could not imagine how he would ever be relieved of his burden. Sitting one day in the discourse of an Aalim, he heard him saying that whoever washes his hands before and after eating, in view of it being a Sunnah of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah صلى الله عليه وسل, will ان شاءالله be relieved of his debts in a short span of time. The pious man adopted the procedure (of washing his hands before and after meals), and through the grace of Allah Ta’ala جل جلاله, he was absolved of his debts in a few days time.
(Uswah, Page 9)
(SOURCE: THE SUBLIME CONDUCT OF NABĪ صلى الله عليه وسلم by Mufti Muhammad Irshād Ahmad Qasmi)
REFLECTIONS
It is important that we adopt presence of mind when we wash our hands before and after meals; and remind ourselves that this is a blessed Sunnah. Furthermore, we should make every endeavour to impart this lesson to our children.
