God’s Messenger was a servant under command who applied to us* only three things which he did not apply to the people in general. He ordered us to perform ablution fully, not to consume sadaqa, and not to make an ass cover a mare.
Aba Wahb al-Jushami reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Tie the horses, rub down their forelocks and rumps (or he said, their buttocks), and put things on their necks, but do not put bowstrings.”*
* The reason for this is that bowstrings may injure them.
‘Ali told that God's Messenger was presented with a she-mule which he rode, so ‘Ali said, “If we made asses cover mares we would have animals of this type,” to which God’s Messenger replied, “Only those who do not know do that.”
‘Utba b. ‘Abd as-Sulami told that he heard God’s Messenger say, “Do not cut the forelocks, manes, or tails of horses, for their tails are their means of driving off flies, their manes provide them with warmth, and blessing is tied to their forelocks.”
