Exposing Islam

Sacred or Superstition?

The Questionable Practice of Drinking the Prophet’s Water

Introduction: Purity or Superstition? Unpacking a Controversial Practice

In the rich tapestry of Islamic history, countless stories of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his companions are celebrated as models of faith, devotion, and spirituality. But some of these stories raise serious questions — not just about their historical reliability, but about their spiritual implications. One such story is the account of the Prophet washing his hands and face in a tumbler of water and then instructing his companions, Abu Musa and Bilal, to drink and splash this water on their faces and chests.

At first glance, this incident may seem like a simple act of reverence. But on closer examination, it reveals a troubling contradiction at the heart of Islamic monotheism (Tawhid) — the belief in the absolute oneness of Allah and the rejection of any form of superstition or intermediaries. Was this a display of divine blessing, or did it mark the beginning of a dangerous slide into superstition?

This article will critically examine the story, dissect its theological implications, and expose the problematic precedent it set for later Islamic practices.

1. The Incident Described: What Really Happened?

The story of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ using water for spiritual blessing is narrated by Abu Musa and Bilal in Islamic sources. According to this account:

The Prophet ﷺ washed his hands and face in a tumbler of water.
He instructed Abu Musa and Bilal to drink from it and splash it on their faces and chests.
The companions eagerly obeyed, treating the water as a source of spiritual blessing.

This was not merely an act of physical cleanliness (wudu). It was an action imbued with a sense of sacredness — as though the Prophet’s touch transformed ordinary water into a source of divine blessing (Barakah). But does this practice align with the core principles of Islamic monotheism?

2. The Islamic Concept of Barakah: Blessing or Superstition?

Barakah, in Islamic tradition, is a term that signifies divine blessing, grace, or spiritual benefit. It is believed to be a gift from Allah, granted through acts of worship, charity, or divine favor. But the question here is whether Barakah can be transferred through physical objects, such as water touched by the Prophet.

A. Barakah Comes from Allah Alone

The Qur’an consistently emphasizes that all blessings, guidance, and grace come from Allah alone:

“Indeed, We sent down the Qur’an with Barakah (blessing), so that they may reflect.” — (Surah Sad 38:29)
“And whatever of blessings you have, it is from Allah.” — (Surah An-Nahl 16:53)

If Barakah is a divine gift, how can it be transmitted through an object touched by a human being, even a prophet?

B. The Risk of Superstition

By attributing spiritual power to water touched by the Prophet, this practice begins to resemble other religions where holy men are believed to confer blessings through objects, relics, or touch. How is this different from:

The veneration of saints in Christianity, where objects associated with saints are believed to convey blessings?
Hindu practices where the water of the Ganges is considered sacred and spiritually purifying?

If Islam is a religion of pure monotheism, then how can it tolerate practices that mirror superstition?

3. Testing the Practice Against Pure Monotheism (Tawhid)

Islam’s foundational creed is Tawhid — the absolute oneness of Allah, rejecting any form of intermediaries in worship. This is not just a theological concept but a practical guideline for Islamic spirituality:

A. Direct Connection to Allah

The Qur’an emphasizes that Muslims have direct access to Allah without intermediaries:

“And when My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near. I respond to the call of the supplicant when he calls upon Me.” — (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:186)

So why would a Muslim need a physical object — even water touched by the Prophet — for spiritual blessing?

B. A Warning Against Excessive Veneration

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ himself warned against the excessive veneration of any human being:

“Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians exaggerated in praising the son of Mary.” — (Sahih Bukhari 3445)

Isn’t this incident a direct contradiction of that principle? If touching water used by the Prophet is a source of blessing, where does it end?

4. The Problem of Authenticity: Is This Practice Reliable?

What is the Source of This Story?
- Is it recorded in a Sahih (authentic) Hadith collection?
- Even if authentic, is it meant to be a general practice for all Muslims or a unique event for these specific companions?
The Risk of Innovation (Bid’ah)
- Even a true story can become a source of misguidance if taken out of context.
- Islamic history is filled with examples of people turning ordinary actions of the Prophet into superstitious rituals.

5. The Psychological Manipulation of Followers

Such practices have a profound psychological impact on believers:

Drinking from the Prophet’s water creates a sense of direct connection to divine grace.
It can easily become a method of controlling followers, making them dependent on the Prophet’s presence for spiritual blessings instead of relying on direct worship of Allah.
This is a classic method used by religious cults and false prophets to manipulate followers.

6. The Dangerous Precedent: From Purity to Relics

What began as a simple act with the Prophet’s water eventually evolved into:

Venerating the Prophet’s hair, his footprint, his cloak.
Seeking Barakah through contact with the graves of saints in Sufi traditions.
The use of “sacred” relics in various sects of Islam, all justified by stories like this one.

If touching the Prophet’s water is blessed, then what stops Muslims from believing that his clothing, hair, and even his grave can convey blessings?

7. Was This Only Meant for the Companions? A Counter-Argument

Some may argue that this was a special event for Abu Musa and Bilal alone.
But if so, why is it preserved in Hadith for later Muslims to read?
Even if specific to them, it still raises questions about the basis for spiritual blessings.

8. Conclusion: Purity or Superstition? A Critical Judgment

The story of the Prophet’s water is a striking example of how a seemingly simple action can transform into a form of superstition, contradicting the essence of monotheism in Islam. It exposes the risk of turning respect for the Prophet into excessive veneration and even idolatry.

Islam claims to be a religion of pure monotheism, but this practice mirrors the superstitions of other faiths.
True Islamic spirituality lies in direct worship of Allah, not in seeking blessings through physical contact with another human being — even a prophet.
This story is not a display of piety; it is a doorway to superstition.
If this is not superstition, then what is it?