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.
1 of approximately a litre.
2 at-tirmidhi.
3 i.e., he did not pronounce the intention out loud.