Question

In the following Hadith does تتبعي بها أثر الدم refer to the applying scent on the body or garment?

عن عائشة، أن امرأة سألت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم عن غسلها من المحيض، فأمرها كيف تغتسل، قال: خذي فرصة من مسك، فتطهري بها قالت: كيف أتطهر؟ قال: تطهري بها، قالت: كيف؟، قال: سبحان الله، تطهري فاجتبذتها إلي، فقلت: تتبعي بها أثر الدم

 

Answer

The words cited above are recorded in Sahih Bukhari. Imam Muslim (rahimahullah) has recorded the Hadith with slight variation in the wording.

(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 314, Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 332)

 

تتبعي بها أثر الدم means ‘[Rub] the traces of blood with it.’ The commentators explain that this refers to applying/rubbing a cloth scented with musk to the private area directly so as to clean it and remove any odour.

(Refer: Fathul Bari, Hadith: 314, Fathul Mulhim, Hadith: 758, Mirqatul Mafatih, Hadith: 437)

 

The translation of the full Hadith is as follows:

Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) reported that a woman once asked Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) how to take a ghusl after menstruation. Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) told her what to do and said, “Then take a piece of a cloth scented with musk and clean yourself with it.” She asked, “How should I clean myself?” Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Clean yourself with it.” She asked, “How?” Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Subhanallah! Clean yourself.” Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) says, “I pulled her towards me and said, “[Rub] the traces of blood with it.”

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

 

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

 

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar