His Guidance in Wudhu' (Ablution)

• he pbuh usually made ablution for every prayer, although he might at times perform many prayers with one ablution.

• for ablution, he pbuh used one measure¹ of water or two thirds of it or sometimes slightly more.

• he pbuh used ablution water with utmost care and warned his followers not to use water excessively.

• he pbuh used to wash his limbs sometimes once, sometimes twice or three times, but never exceeded three times.

• he pbuh sometimes used to rinse out his mouth and nose with one handful of water and sometimes two or three, and he pbuh would wash his mouth and nose together.

• he pbuh used his right hand for taking in water and his left hand for expelling it.

• he pbuh never made ablution without rinsing his mouth and nose.

• he pbuh used to wipe over all of his head and often move his hands back and forth.

• when he pbuh wiped over his forehead, he completed by including his turban.

• he pbuh wiped the internal and external parts of his ears along with his head.

• he pbuh washed his feet when he was not wearing slippers or socks.

• his ablution was in sequence and uninterrupted, and he never did otherwise.

• he pbuh would begin his ablution with "bismillah" and conclude it by saying:

“i bear witness that there is no god but allah, alone, without any partner, and i bear witness that muhammad is his servant and messenger. o allah, make me of those who continually repent and of those who continually purify themselves." ²

he also said: “o allah, you are worthy of all glory and praise. i bear witness that there is no god but you. i seek your forgiveness and repent to you.”

• neither he nor any of his companions ever said at the beginning: "i intend to remove impurity to perform prayer."³

• he pbuh never washed above the elbows and the ankles.

• it was not his custom to dry his limbs.

• he pbuh sometimes rubbed the water into his beard, but not always.

• he pbuh often washed between his toes, but not always.

• he pbuh did not expect someone to pour water for him while making ablution; he usually poured it himself, but sometimes another would help him when needed.