Nasai

251. Commentary: If, according to the Sunnah method, one first performs ablution (wudu), then combs through the hair with the fingers (khilal) so that the roots become wet, then pouring three handfuls of water over the head will be sufficient. No place and no hair will remain dry, and water will also be conserved. In these narrations, there is mention of performing the ablution of prayer before the ritual bath (ghusl) of major impurity (janabah), but in none of them is there any mention of wiping (masah) over the head. It is as if, instead of wiping, pouring three handfuls of water over the head is necessary. Similarly, the feet are also not to be washed at this stage; rather, the feet are to be washed at the end after completing the ritual bath. However, it is necessary that during the ritual bath, the front and back private parts are not touched with the hand, otherwise the ablution will not remain valid. For this reason, it is explicitly stated in the narrations that before performing ablution, one should thoroughly wash the private parts. In this regard, in the ritual bath of major impurity, it is necessary first to clean the private parts, then wash the hands and perform ablution, in which, instead of wiping the head, three handfuls of water are poured over it, then the complete ritual bath is performed, and at the end, both feet are washed.

Explanation:
Abu Nu'aym narrated in Al-Mustakhraj that the people mentioned the ritual bath (ghusl) of major impurity (janabah) in the presence of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). In Sahih Muslim, it is stated that they disputed about it, then the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) related this hadith.

Takhrij al-Hadith:
[187۔ البخاري فى : 5 كتاب الغسل : 4 باب من افاض على راسه ثلاثًا 254، مسلم 327، ابن ماجه 570]

Understanding of the Hadith:
It is understood that during ritual bath (ghusl), pouring water over the body three times is recommended (mustahabb). Imam Nawawi rahimahullah stated that there is no difference of opinion in this. [شرح مسلم للنووي 246/2]
However, what is obligatory (wajib) is to pour water only once, as has been mentioned in a previous hadith.

Hadith Commentary:
➊
Imam Bukhari rahimahullah’s purpose with this chapter heading is to show that the essential aspect in ritual bath (ghusl) is thoroughness (isti‘ab). The number of pouring water three times is not, in itself, specifically required; rather, the benefit in performing the act three times is that repetition strengthens the act. Performing the act three times is the upper limit of repetition.

➋
From some narrations, it is understood that the noble Companions (radi Allahu anhum) described their individual methods of performing the ritual bath of major impurity (ghusl janabah) in the presence of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). One said: “I do it like this.” Another said: “I do it like this.” Upon this, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “I pour water three times.” (: Sahih Muslim, al-Hayd, Hadith: 740 (327))

From some other narrations, it is understood that people from the tribe of Thaqif came to the service of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and described their individual methods regarding the ritual bath of major impurity (ghusl janabah), so the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) gave the answer mentioned in this narration. (: Sahih Muslim, al-Hayd, Hadith: 742 (327))

Hadith Commentary:
Vocabulary of the Hadith:
TAMARAW:
They disputed and argued with one another.
AKUFFIN:
Plural of "kaf", which means the palm of the hand, and here it refers to a handful (scooped with the palm).

425. Commentary:

➊ In this narration, Imam al-Nasa'i rahimahullah has two teachers: Abdullah ibn Sa'id and Suwayd ibn Nasr. The Imam explicitly states that the aforementioned wording of the hadith is as narrated by his teacher Suwayd.

➋ The head should be washed with care; therefore, washing it three times is legislated. With this number, the skin of the head becomes properly moistened. Washing it more than this is prohibited. This appears to be the purpose of the Imam rahimahullah in this chapter. And Allah knows best.

Commentary:
(1)
If water is poured on the head in the correct manner, the entire head can be thoroughly wetted in three handfuls. In any case, using more water than necessary is extravagance, which the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) has prohibited.

(2)
The meaning of "discussion took place" is that a conversation on this topic began, and everyone explained how they perform the ritual bath (ghusl). One method of teaching and training is also that, in a particular issue, the teacher individually asks the students for their opinions. After that, the teacher states the correct matter so that each student, upon realizing his mistake, can remember it well.

(4)
In this hadith, only one issue from among the matters of the ritual bath after major impurity (ghusl janabah) has been mentioned. It is possible that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) described the complete method, but the narrator only mentioned the important part. It is also possible that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) did not mention the remaining issues because the Companions (radi Allahu anhum) had stated those matters correctly; "Whatever they missed, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) mentioned it." And Allah knows best.