He also reported God’s messenger as saying, “When one of you awakes from sleep and performs ablution he must clear his nose three times, for the devil spends the night in the interior of his nose.”(Bukhari and Muslim) ‘Abdallah b. Zaid b. ‘Asim, on being asked how God’s messenger used to perform ablution, called for ablution water and poured it over his hands, washing each hand twice. He then rinsed his mouth and cleared his nose with water three times. He then washed his face three times, then washed each arm twice up to the elbows, then wiped his head both front and back with his hands, beginning with the front of the head and moving them to the nape of the neck, then bringing them back to the place from which he began. He then washed his feet. Malik and Nasa’i transmitted it, and Abu Dawud has something similar. The author of the Jami‘ mentioned it. In the version of Bukhari and Muslim ‘Abdallah b. Zaid b. ‘Asim was asked to perform ablution for them as God's messenger had done, so he called for a vessel and, pouring water from it on his hands, he washed them three times, then inserted his hand and brought it out, rinsed his mouth and snuffed up water from the palm of one hand, doing that three times. He then inserted his hand and brought it out and washed his face three times, then inserted his hand and brought it out and washed each arm up to the elbows twice, then inserted his hand and brought it out and wiped his head both front and back with his hands. He then washed his feet up to the ankles and said, “This is how God’s messenger performed ablution.” A version says that he moved them to the front and the back beginning with the front of his head, then moving them to the nape of his neck, then bringing them back till he reached the place from which he had begun, after which he washed his feet. Another version says that he rinsed his mouth, snuffed up water and cleared his nose three times with three handfuls of water. Another version says that he rinsed his mouth and snuffed up water from one palm, doing that three times. In a version by Bukhari he wiped his head front and back with both hands once, then washed his feet up to the ankles. In another by him he rinsed his mouth and cleared his nose with water three times from one handful.
Purification: Mishkat al-Masabih 392, 393, 394
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings upon His final Messenger Muhammad. The noble hadiths before us illuminate the proper method of ablution (wudu) as demonstrated by the Prophet ﷺ himself. The first narration establishes the wisdom behind nasal cleansing: "When one of you awakes from sleep and performs ablution he must clear his nose three times, for the devil spends the night in the interior of his nose." This teaching reveals the spiritual dimension of purification - that physical cleanliness removes both tangible impurities and spiritual influences. The devil's presence in the nasal passage during sleep symbolizes the vulnerability of the human state during unconsciousness, requiring ritual purification upon awakening.
The detailed description from 'Abdallah b. Zaid b. 'Asim demonstrates the complete sunnah of ablution. Note the precision in each action: washing hands twice (or thrice in some narrations), then the mouth and nose three times. Scholars differ regarding the exact number of washes - some narrations mention two, others three - indicating the flexibility within the prophetic practice. The nasal cleansing deserves particular attention: one should sniff water vigorously into the nostrils and expel it with force, ensuring thorough purification. The face washing follows, covering from hairline to chin and ear to ear. The arms are washed up to elbows, emphasizing the importance of including the elbows themselves.
The head wiping (masah) demonstrates another important sunnah: beginning from the front of the head, moving to the nape, then returning to the starting point. This comprehensive wiping ensures the entire head is included in the ritual. Scholars note that only part of the head needs wiping to fulfill the obligation, but the complete method is superior. Finally, the feet are washed up to the ankles, ensuring water reaches between toes and covers the entire foot. The variations in narrations regarding the exact number of washes and methods demonstrate the principle of flexibility in Islamic worship while maintaining the core requirements. May Allah accept our worship and purify us physically and spiritually. Ameen.