English translation
333. Abū Qilābah said that a man from the tribe of Banū ‘Āmir said: “I entered into Islam, and I became concerned about my religion.”[1] So I went to Abū Dharr. He said: ‘I became ill (or discomforted) in Al-Madīnah, so the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ gave me a few camels and goats. He told me to drink from their milk.’” — Hammād (one of the narrators) said — “I am not sure whether he said from its urine as well.” — Abū Dharr said: ‘So I would be far from water, and my family was with me. When I would become sexually impure, I would pray without purification. So I came to the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ during mid-day, and he was with a group of his Companions, in the shade of the Masjid. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Abū Dharr?” I said: “Yes. I have been destroyed, O Messenger of Allāh.” He said: “And what has destroyed you?” I said: “I was far away from water, and with my family. So when I would become sexually impure, I would pray without purifying myself!” The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ then commanded water (to be bought), and a black slave-girl bought it in a large container. It (the water) was splashing in it, for it was not full. I covered myself close to a camel, then performed Ghusl and came (to him). The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said: “O Abū Dharr! Pure earth is the purification (for you), even if you do not find water for ten years. But when you find water, then let it touch your skin.” (Sahīh) Abū Dāwūd said: Hammād bin Zaid reported it from Ayyūb, but he did not mention: “Their urine.” This is not correct, and there is nothing about their urine except in the Hadīth of Anas which only the people of Al-Baṣrah reported.[1]