The Book of Virtues

Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 209

The Excellence of Performing two Rak'ah of Voluntary Prayer after Ablution

باب استحباب ركعتين بعد الوضوء‏:

This chapter highlights the merit of praying two voluntary units after performing ablution.

The single hadith shows how a small, faithful habit, praying after each ablution, can carry remarkable weight with Allah. The thread is encouragement to turn even our everyday acts of purification into occasions for worship.

Hadith 1146

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال لبلال‏:‏ يا بلال حدثني بأرجى عمل عملته في الإسلام، فإني سمعت دف نعليك بين يدي في الجنة، قال‏:‏ ما عملت عملا أرجى عندي من أني لم أتطهر طهورًا في ساعة من ليل أو نهار إلا صليت بذلك الطهور ما كتب لي أن أصلي‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه وهذا لفظ البخاري‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to Bilal (May Allah be pleased with him) "Tell me about the most hopeful act (i.e., one which you deem the most rewarding with Allah) you have done since your acceptance of Islam because I heard the sound of the steps of your shoes in front of me in Jannah." Bilal said: "I do not consider any act more hopeful than that whenever I make Wudu' (or took a bath) in an hour of night or day, I would immediately perform Salat (prayer) for as long as was destined for me to perform." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In plain words

The Prophet told Bilal he had heard the steps of his shoes ahead of him in Paradise and asked what good deed earned it. Bilal answered that he never made ablution without praying afterward, showing how a steady small habit can be deeply rewarded.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1146 In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 156