I would like to know whether the story of Sayyiduna Hasan and Husayn (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) who as children taught an old man how to make wudu properly is true and it’s source
The narration is as follows :
One day an old man came to Medina. At the time of prayers he began to make wudu but he was making his wudu incorrectly. Hasan and Husayn (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) saw the old man making wudu wrong and they wanted to correct him. They didn’t want to offend him or make him feel insulted, so they came up with a plan. They went to the old man and said, “My brother and I disagree over who amongst us performs wudu the best, would you mind watching us make wudu and be the judge to see which one of us indeed performs wudu more correctly? Could you please correct us wherever we are wrong?” The man watched carefully trying to judge who is better. In the end he understood what was going on and said “By Allah, I did not know how to perform wudu before this. You have both taught me how to do it correctly.”
Answer
This story can be found in Allama Kardari (rahimahulla)’s ‘Manaqibul Imam Al’Azam, vol.1 pg. 39.
Mufti Taqi Usmani has also quoted it in his ‘Tarashi’ on page 115.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best,
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar