The Mubarak Shoes of
Sayyidina Rasulullah 

  In this chapter the type of shoe that Rasulullah Sayyidina Rasulullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam wore, his method of putting them on and taking them off and other matters have been discussed. Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi Sahib has written in the kitaab, Zaad us-Sa'eed, a detailed treatise on the barakaat and virtues of the shoes of Rasulullah Sayyidina Rasulullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam. Those interested in this should read that kitaab(which is available in English).In short, it may be said that it has countless qualities.The 'ulama have experianced it many a time. One is blessed by seeing Rasulullah Sayyidina Rasulullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam in ones dreams;one gains safety from oppressors and every heartfelt desire is attained. Every object is fulfilled by its tawassul (means,petition,request). The method of tawassul is also mentioned therein. Imaam Tirmidhi has written eleven ahaadith in this chapter.
 

Hadith Number 1

Qataadah radiallahu anhu reports that:" I asked Anas to describe the shoe of Rasulullah Sayyidina Rasulullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam". He replied: "Each shoe had two straps".

Commentary

The shoes in 'Arabia were not of the type of are known here in India. They consisted of a
 leather sole with two straps on them.

(72) Hadith Number 2

Ibn 'Abbaas radiallahu anhu reports that Raulullah Sayyidina Rasulullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam shoe had two'double straps'.

Commentary

It means that every strap was made of two strips of leather sewn together. In the chain of  narrators of this hadith there is a narrator Khaalid Hadhdhaa. Hadhdhaa in 'Arabia means a shoe maker. The 'ulama write that this narrator was not a shoe maker, but had an acquaintance with those whose trade was shoe making. Due to his acquaintance and friendship, he was also named (Khaalid) Hadhdhaa, and became known by his name. one is surely influenced and develops the habits and manners of those with whom one keeps company.

Hadith Number 3

'Eesa bin Tahmaan says that Anas radiallahu anhu took out a pair of shoes and showed then to us. They did not have hair on them. Later Thaabit told me these were the shoes of Rasulullah Sayyidina Rasulullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam.

Commentary

It was common in 'Arabia that the hair was not removed from the skin from which shoes were made. For this reason the narrator mentioned the hair.
 

Hadith Number 4

'Ubayd bin Jurayj radiallahu anhu asked Ibn 'Umar radiallahu anhu the reason for not wearing shoes with hair on them. He replied: "I had seen Rasulullah Sayyidina Rasulullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam wear and perform wudu with shoes that did not have hair on them. That is why I also like this type of shoes."

Commentary

The reason for asking this question is that at that time it was it was not a general practice to wear shoes without hair on them. Imaam Bukhaari quotes a detailed hadith in his kitaab, where sayyidina Ubayd bin Jurayj radiallahu anhu said to Sayyidina Ibn Umar radiallahu anhu, " I see you observe a few things which the other sahaabah do not observe?" Among other question he asked the reason for wearing shoes with a smooth leather surface. sayyidina Ibn Umar radiallahu anhu made strong efforts to follow Rasulullah Sayyidina Rasulullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam in every  aspect. The others generally wore the common leather shoes with hair.

Hadith Number 5

Abu hurayrah radiallahu anhu relates that the shoes of Rasululah Sayyidina Rasulullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam had two straps.

Hadith Number 6

Amr bin Hurayth radiallahu anhu reports, "I saw rasulullah Sayyidina Rasulullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam perform salaah with such shoes that had another leather sole sewn onto them."

Commentary

It means that the sole was double. It had two layers of leather. It may also mean that because the shoe was tearing a patch was sewn onto it.

Hadith number 7

Abu Hurayrah reports: Rasulullah Sayyidina Rasulullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam said: One should not wear one shoe and walk. Both shoes should be worn or both shoes should be removed.

Commentary

The reason for mentioning this Hadith in the shamaa-il is that it was not the noble habit of sayyidina Rasulullah Sayyidina Rasulullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam to wear one shoe only. If sayyidina rasulullah Sayyidina Rasulullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam prohibited others to do so, he would not practice this himself. Apparently the prohibition in this hadith is for doing so habitually. However if a single shoe is worn for a little while because the other one is torn or because of some difficulty, then there is no harm. Arising from this hadith the 'ulama have added that , in the same manner only one khuff (leather sock) or one sleeve should not be worn. Both should be worn as is done commonly. One should keep away from cheap formalities, fashions and rudeness.

Hadith Number 8

Jaabir radiallahu anhu says that Rasulullah Sayyidina Rasulullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam. prohibited eating with the left hand, or the wearing of one shoe only.

Commentary

According to the majority of the ulama the fulfillment of these commands are meritorious, that means, not haraam. Some ulama of the Zaahir have stated that it is prohibited to act contrary to this.

Hadith Number 9

Hazrat Abu Hurayrah radiallahu anhu says that Sayyidina Rasulullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam said, " Whenever one amongst you puts on his shoes,  he should begin with  the right, and when he removes his shoes the left one should be removed first. The right should be first when putting on and last when removing the shoes."

Commentary

The shoe being an ornament for the feet, should be long on the feet, as has been mentioned earlier. In the same manner all those things, the wearing of which are ornaments, when wearing them, the right should be first, and when removing them, the left first, like the wearing of qamis (kurtah) ,izaar, jubbah etc.

Hadith Number 10

Sayyidah Aayeshah Radiallahhu Anha says: " Rasulullah Sayyidina Rasulullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam while combing his hair ; wearing his shoes;and while washing his limbs during wudu, as far as possible began with his right ."

Commentary

This is not confined to the above three only, but covers all other acts as stated previously. The saying ,` As far as possible , means that  for some unforeseen reason he began from the left , then there is no harm.

Hadith Number 11

Abu Hurayrah radiallahu anhu says that the shoes of Sayyidina Rasulullah sallallahu alaihe wasallam   had two straps. In the same manner the shoes of Abu Bakr and Umar radiallahu anhu  had two straps on them. radiallahu anhu  began the use of one strap.
 

Return
 

Send mail to hunafaa@hotmail.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 1996 Al Adaab: Living Islam According to the Minhaj of the True Salaf as Salihoon
Last modified: 08/29/06