Is there any authentic Hadith which mentions washing of the hands before eating?
Answer:
Imam Tirmidhi, Imam Abu Dawud, Imam Ahmad (rahimahumullah) and other Muhaddithun have recorded the following narration:
Sayyiduna Salman Al Farisi (radiyallahu ‘anhu) says, “I read in the Tawrah ‘Barakah in food lies in washing the hand after meals.’ I mentioned this to Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and he said, ‘Blessing in food lies in washing the hand before and after eating.”
(Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith: 1846, Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 3755, Musnad Ahmad, vol. 5 pg. 441)
This Hadith will be classified sound by Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) based on his principle.
(Hidayatur Ruwat, Hadith: 4137)
Imam Ibn Majah (rahimahullah) has recorded the following weak Hadith which further corroborates the above Hadith:
Sayyiduna Anas ibn Malik (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever would like Allah to increase the goodness/blessing of his home, should wash hands when his [meal] is brought to him and when it is taken away”
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 3260, Zawaid Ibn Majah, Hadith: 1063)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar