A person asked `Abdullah bin Zaid who was the grandfather of `Amr bin Yahya, "Can you show me how Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) used to perform ablution?" `Abdullah bin Zaid replied in the affirmative and asked for water. He poured it on his hands and washed them twice, then he rinsed his mouth thrice and washed his nose with water thrice by putting water in it and blowing it out. He washed his face thrice and after that he washed his forearms up to the elbows twice and then passed his wet hands over his head from its front to its back and vice versa (beginning from the front and taking them to the back of his head up to the nape of the neck and then brought them to the front again from where he had started) and washed his feet (up to the ankles).
Ablutions (Wudu')
Sahih al-Bukhari 185
Hadith Text
A person asked `Abdullah bin Zaid who was the grandfather of `Amr bin Yahya, "Can you show me how Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) used to perform ablution?" `Abdullah bin Zaid replied in the affirmative and asked for water. He poured it on his hands and washed them twice, then he rinsed his mouth thrice and washed his nose with water thrice by putting water in it and blowing it out. He washed his face thrice and after that he washed his forearms up to the elbows twice and then passed his wet hands over his head from its front to its back and vice versa (beginning from the front and taking them to the back of his head up to the nape of the neck and then brought them to the front again from where he had started) and washed his feet (up to the ankles).
Scholarly Commentary
This hadith demonstrates the proper sequence and method of wudu' as taught by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). The washing of hands twice at the beginning purifies the limbs that will perform the ablution. The triple rinsing of mouth and nose ensures thorough cleansing of these cavities. Washing the face three times covers from hairline to chin and ear to ear. The arms are washed up to elbows twice, ensuring no part is left dry. The masah (wiping) of the head is performed from front to back and back to front, covering the entire head. Finally, washing the feet up to ankles completes the prescribed limbs. This method ensures both physical purity and spiritual preparation for prayer.
Legal Rulings
The sequence mentioned is wajib (obligatory) according to majority of scholars. Each action should be performed in proper order without lengthy interruption. The number of washings (twice or thrice) represents the sunnah method, though a single washing suffices for validity. Water must reach all parts of the prescribed limbs without any barrier. The masah of the head requires only moistening the hands and wiping, not full washing.
Spiritual Significance
Wudu' symbolizes both physical and spiritual purification. Each limb washed corresponds to purification of different sins: hands for wrongful deeds, mouth for false speech, nose for arrogance, face for shameful acts, arms for misdeeds, head for evil thoughts, and feet for wrongful paths. The consistent repetition of actions teaches discipline and mindfulness, preparing the worshipper for communion with the Divine.