Question
Did soap exist during the time of the Prophet (SAW)?
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer
We have not come across any Hadith that mentions saboon (soap) during the Prophet's (SAW) time. However, there is mention of *khitmi, sidr*, and *ashnaan*; these are particular plants mixed with water to enhance purification.
[عن أم قيس بنت محصن:] حُكِّيهِ بِضِلَعٍ، واغْسِلِيهِ بِماءٍ وسِدْر
أخرجه أبو داود (٣٦٣)
[عن عائشة أم المؤمنين:] كان رسولُ اللهِ ﷺ إذا أرادَ أنْ يُحرِمَ، غسَلَ رأسَه بخِطْميٍّ وأُشْنانٍ
أخرجه أحمد (٢٤٤٩٠)
Sharhul Wiqayah: v. 2, p. 352 (Qadeemi Kutub Khana)
Only Allah knows best
Written by Maulana Mohammad Ahsan Osmani
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham