Jami' at-Tirmidhi — Hadith #26177

Qutaibah narrated to us, and Muhammad bin Abdul Malik bin Abi Al-Shawareb Al-Basri narrated to us, saying: Abu Awanah narrated to us, on the authority of Qatada, on the authority of Muadhah, On the authority of Aisha, she said, “Tell your wives to cleanse themselves with water, for I will make them feel free, as the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, used to do that.” On the authority of Jarir bin Abdullah Al-Bajli, Anas and Abu Hurairah, Abu Issa said: This is a good and authentic hadith, and it must be acted upon. According to the people of knowledge, they choose to cleanse themselves with water, although in their view cleaning themselves with stones is sufficient, then they consider it desirable. Cleansing yourself with water, and they thought it was better. This is what Sufyan Al-Thawri, Ibn Al-Mubarak, Al-Shafi’i, Ahmad and Ishaq say.