Question

Kindly explain the meaning of the word مُلَبِّدًا in the following Hadith:

عن عبدالله بن عباس رضي الله عنه: أنَّ رَجُلًا وَقَصَهُ بَعِيرُهُ وَهو مُحْرِمٌ مع رَسولِ اللهِ ﷺ: فأمَرَ به رَسولُ اللهِ ﷺ أَنْ يُغْسَلَ بماءٍ وَسِدْرٍ وَلا يُمَسَّ طِيبًا وَلا يُخَمَّرَ رَأْسُهُ، فإنَّه يُبْعَثُ يَومَ القِيامَةِ مُلَبِّدًا.

(Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 1206)

Answer

The word ملبدا  comes from the word تلبيد which in this context means to apply a gel-like substance (such as: gum, resin, honey, etc.) to the hair at the time of entering the state of ihram in order that one’s hair becomes compacted together to preserve it in the state it was, lest it should become disheveled or afflicted with lice during the state of ihram.

‘Allamah Ibnul Athir (rahimahullah) has mentioned that this is generally only done by those [who have very long hair and] who intend to stay in the state of Ihram for a lengthy duration.

(An-Nihayah fi Gharibil Hadith, Letters: ل ب د, and Arabic Lexicon, vol. 7, pg. 2645)

Translation

Hereunder is an explanatory translation of the Hadith:

Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (radiyallahu ‘anhu) has narrated that a camel once broke the neck of its owner [i.e., by throwing off its rider] whilst he was in the state of ihram, accompanying Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) then instructed that he be given ghusl [i.e., bathed] with water and [i.e., mixed with] lote tree leaves, and that no perfume should be applied nor should his head be covered for indeed he will be resurrected on the day of Qiyamah with his hair compacted together [as explained above]. i.e., He will be resurrected in the state of ihram.

Note: This is merely an explanation regarding the text of the Hadith. Kindly refer to a Mufti/Darul Ifta for further queries regarding matters pertaining to the fiqhi understanding and application of the Hadith.

And Allah Ta’ala knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Farhan Shariff

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar