THE CHAPTER OF PURITY · 72 – PERFORMING ABLUTION AFTER EATING CAMEL MEAT
Ber’a bin ‘Azib (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) was asked about eating the meat of a camel while being in a state of ritual purity (ablution). The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said: “Perform ablution because of it.”
It was then asked about eating sheep meat. He said: “Do not perform ablution because of this.”
It was asked about praying in a camel pen. He said: "Do not pray in the camel pens, for camels are from Shaytan (Satan)."
It was asked: "What about praying in a sheep pen?" He said: "Pray in the sheep pens, for sheep are a blessing." [150]
**Explanation:**
Some scholars have derived an argument from this hadith that because of the toughness of camel meat, eating it may cause bleeding and invalidate one’s ablution. Ahmad ibn Hanbal took this hadith as a basis.
Imam al-Shafi'i, Imam Malik, and Imam Abu Hanifa (may Allah be pleased with them) have argued based on the hadith narrated by Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) that camel meat does not invalidate ablution.
Regarding the statement that camels are from Shaytan: A camel may bite someone standing in prayer in its pen, thus invalidating their prayer.
Sheep, however, are domesticated and weak animals. Such a thing is not found in them, so they do not invalidate prayers. Because causing a prayer to be invalidated is a characteristic of being from Shaytan. Camels have been known for their animosity. Especially if it sees its enemy standing in prayer in its pen, prostrating, it will rush upon him with great eagerness. Therefore, praying in camel pens is not permitted.
As for the issue of impurity (najasa): Both camel and sheep pens are impure. If a clean spot sufficient for prayer could be found in either a camel or sheep pen, would one pray there?
It may be prayed on based on its cleanliness. However, one should avoid praying in a camel pen due to the danger of invalidating the prayer. Some scholars have explained that in this hadith, the ablution referred to is washing the hands and mouth.