Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalamualaikum

I read in a Hadith that whenever Hazrat Muhammad(PBUH) took bath, he did not use any cloth to wipe is body, so can we use the cloth(Towel) for that purpose or should we too leave our body wet?

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Answer:

Pm did not wipe or dry after bath

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 1.259 Narrated by Maimuna

I placed water for the bath (ghusl) of the Prophet (saws), and he (saws) poured water with his right hand on his left and washed them. Then he (saws) washed his private parts and rubbed his hands on the ground, washed them with water, rinsed his mouth and washed his nose by putting water in it and blowing it out, washed his face and poured water on his head. He (saws) withdrew from that place and washed his feet. A piece of cloth (towel) was given to him but he did not use it.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 1.266 Narrated by Maimuna bint Al Harith

I placed water for the bath (ghusl) of Allah's Messenger (saws) and put a screen. He poured water over his hands, and washed them once or twice. Then he (saws) poured water with his right hand over his left one and washed his private parts. He (saws) rubbed his hand over the earth or the wall and washed it. He (saws) rinsed his mouth and washed his nose by putting water in it and blowing it out. He (saws) washed his face, forearms and head. He (saws) then poured water over his body and then withdrew from that place and washed his feet. I presented him a piece of cloth (towel) and he (saws) pointed with his hand (that he does not want it), and did not take it.

Your Question: I read in a Hadith that whenever Hazrat Muhammad(PBUH) took bath, he did not use any cloth to wipe is body

There is indeed evidence in the established and authentic Sunnah that the Messenger of Allah (saws) at times would not use a towel or sheet to wipe himself dry after taking a full bath, and at times he (saws) would use a towel to wipe himself.

If one has ever experienced the intense heat of summer in the lands of Arabia, one would easily be able to comprehend the wisdom behind the Messenger of Allah (saws) allowing himself the luxury of the coolness of the water to remain on his body a little while longer after taking his bath.

But the winters in the desert lands of Arabia are so harsh and cold, that water is best wiped off one’s body as soon as one has taken one’s bath.

Thus the reason or wisdom behind the Messenger of Allah (saws) not taking the towel offered by his wives seems more to do with bearing the extremities of the weather, rather than a religious guidance.

Your Question: so can we use the cloth(Towel) for that purpose or should we too leave our body wet?

The very fact that the wives of the Messenger of Allah (saws) offered him a towel to dry himself after his bath is evidence of the fact that at times, depending on the weather, the Messenger of Allah (saws) would use a towel to dry himself after his bath, and at times he would abstain.

There is absolutely no restriction or condition in Shariah regarding the usage of a towel to wipe oneself dry after their bath; one may do so if one so wills or wishes, or one may abstain if one so wills or wishes….it is entirely upto the individual.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan