Sahih al-Bukhari 528
Narrated Abu Huraira: I heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) saying, “If there was a river at the door of anyone of you and he took a bath in it five times a day would you notice any dirt on him?” They said, “Not a trace of dirt would be left.” The Prophet (ﷺ) added, “That is the example of the five prayers with which Allah blots out (annuls) evil deeds.”
- The meaning of the hadith is that performing the five daily prayers is a powerful means of seeking forgiveness for one’s sins and purifying oneself spiritually. Just as taking a bath removes physical impurities from the body, performing the five daily prayers removes spiritual impurities and wrongdoings from a person’s soul. This highlights the importance of regular prayer in Islam and serves as a reminder to Muslims to make prayer a central part of their daily lives.
