Muhammad ibn Dawud Al-Iskandarani narrated to us: Ziyad ibn Yunus narrated to us: Sa'id ibn Ziyad Al-Mu'adhdhin narrated to me, from 'Uthman ibn 'Abd al-Rahman Al-Taymi, who said: Ibn Abi Mulaykah was asked about ablution, and he said: I saw 'Uthman ibn 'Affan asked about ablution, so he called for water and a vessel was brought to him. He tilted it over his right hand, then inserted it into the water and rinsed his mouth three times, sniffed water up his nose and blew it out three times, washed his face three times, washed his right hand three times, and washed his left hand three times. Then he inserted his hand and took water, wiping his head and his ears, wiping their inner and outer parts once. Then he washed his feet, and said: Where are those who ask about ablution? This is how I saw the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, perform ablution.
Abu Dawud said: All the authentic traditions narrated from 'Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him, indicate that the head is to be wiped once, because they mentioned performing ablution three times and stated in them: "And he wiped his head," without mentioning any number, unlike what they mentioned in other parts.