Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah

Hazrat Abu Hayyah says that I saw Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) that while performing ablution, he first cleaned his hands, then washed his face three times, then washed his arms three times, then wiped his head, then washed both feet including the ankles, then stood up and drank the leftover water of ablution. Then he said that I wanted to teach you the way of ablution of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).

Hazrat Abd Khair narrates that Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) rinsed his mouth three times during ablution, cleaned his nose three times with one hand, washed his face three times, then put his hand into the vessel and wiped his head, and then washed his feet. After that, he said: "This is the ablution of your Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)."

Hazrat Humran says that once Hazrat Usman (may Allah be pleased with him) asked for water and performed ablution, then he smiled. Then he said, "Will you not ask me why I smiled?" The people said, "O Commander of the Faithful! Why did you smile?" He replied, "I saw the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) perform ablution just as I have performed it. He rinsed his mouth three times, cleaned his nose three times, washed his face three times, washed his arms three times, and then wiped over the head and the apparent part of the feet."

It is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Zaid that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) washed his face three times in ablution, washed his arms twice, performed masah (wiping) of the head, and wiped his feet twice.

It is narrated from Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) that once a man asked the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) about the method of ablution. So he asked for water and washed each limb three times. Then he said: "This is the method of ablution. Whoever decreases or increases from this has done wrong and acted arrogantly."

Hazrat Rubayyi' bint Mu'awwidh ibn 'Afra' (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that once the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) came to our house. We placed water for his ablution. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) performed ablution, washing each part three times, and then performed masah (wiping) of the head. He started the masah of the head from the back side.

Hazrat Abd Khair narrates that once Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "Shall I not show you the ablution of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)?" Then he performed ablution three times each.

Hazrat Abu Umamah narrates that once the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) performed ablution; he washed his hands three times, rinsed his mouth three times, cleaned his nose three times, and performed each act of ablution three times.

It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Anas that Hazrat Usman (may Allah be pleased with him) performed ablution at a place called Maqa'id and said, "Shall I not show you the ablution of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)!" Then he performed ablution three times each.

Hazrat Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to wash each limb three times.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) performed ablution in this manner: First, he took water and rinsed his mouth and put water into his nose. Then, he took water a second time and washed his blessed face with it. Then, he took water a third time and washed his right arm with it. Then, he took water and washed his left arm with it. Then, he took water and wiped his head and ears; he wiped the inner parts of his ears with his index fingers and the outer parts with his thumbs. Then, he took water and washed his right foot with it, then he took water and washed his left foot with it.

Hazrat Ata states that Hazrat Usman (may Allah be pleased with him) washed each limb three times while performing ablution. He wiped his head once and washed his feet once, then said that he had seen the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) perform ablution in this manner.

Hazrat Abu Ja'far says that I asked Hazrat Thabit (may Allah be pleased with him) whether the narration of Hazrat Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) has reached you that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to wash each limb of wudu once? He replied: "Yes," this narration has reached me."

Hazrat Qarza narrates that Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) took us towards the place of Siraar. There, he performed ablution and washed each limb twice.

Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) says that washing the limbs three times in ablution is better, but if ablution is performed by washing them twice, it is also permissible.

Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said regarding rinsing the mouth, cleaning the nose, washing the face, washing the arms, and washing the feet that doing it twice is permissible and doing it three times is preferable.

Hazrat Muslim bin Sabeeh narrates that I saw Hazrat Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) wash each limb three times during ablution, then wipe his head and ears.

Hazrat Yazid says that I saw Abdur Rahman bin Abi Laila that during ablution he rinsed his mouth and put water in his nose once or twice, then washed his face three times, then washed his arms three times each, then wiped his head, then washed his feet three times each. I did not see him combing through his beard with his fingers. Then he said that I saw Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) performing ablution in this manner.

Hazrat Muslim says that I saw Hazrat Abdur Rahman bin Abi Laila performing ablution; he was washing each limb three times.

Hazrat Ismail bin Ibrahim says that I saw Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) performing ablution in Dar al-Nadwah; he washed each limb once.

It is narrated from Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with both of them) that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) washed each limb once during ablution.

Hazrat Sha'bi says that Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) used to wash each limb twice during ablution. Hazrat 'Amir says that Hazrat Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) also used to do the same.

Hazrat Asim bin Ubaidullah says that I saw Salim bin Abdullah washing each limb once during ablution.

Ibrahim says that if you wash the limbs twice during ablution, it is sufficient, and if you wash them three times, this is thoroughness and perfection in ablution.

Hazrat Abu Ja'far says that ablution should be performed in odd numbers.

Hazrat Ja'far bin Burqan narrates that I asked Hazrat Zuhri: "How many times is it sufficient to wash the face and arms in ablution (wudu)?" He replied, "In my opinion, washing once is sufficient." I said to him, "Hazrat Maymun says that the face and arms should be washed three times each!" He replied, "That is the thoroughness and perfection of ablution."

An Ansari companion narrates that once Hazrat Uthman bin Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "Shall I not teach you the ablution (wudu) of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)?" The people said, "Certainly, do teach us." He asked for water, rinsed his mouth three times, cleaned his nose three times, washed his face three times, and washed his arms three times. Then he wiped his head, then washed his feet, and said, "The ears are part of the head." Then he said, "I have shown you the way the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) performed ablution."

It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) performed ablution twice each time.

Hasan Basri says that performing ablution once, twice, or three times (all three ways) is permissible.

Hazrat Qasim says that whoever wants to perform a good ablution may wash each limb even once.