49 - Ablution, or wudu

1. ‘Uthmān ibn ‘Affān called for water and he performed the ablution: he washed his hands three times, then rinsed his mouth and blew his nose. He then washed his face three times, then washed his right hand up to the elbow three times, then washed his left hand in the same way. He then wiped his head, then washed his right foot up to the ankle three times, then his left foot in the same way.  

2. He then said: ‘I saw God’s Messenger (peace be upon him) performing the ablution in a way similar to what I have done  

3. then God’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever performs the ablution in a similar way to what I have done now, then stands up and offers two rak‘ahs during which he thinks of nothing [other than his prayer] is forgiven whatever sin he did”’. 

4. Another version related by Muslim adds: ‘and his prayer and walk to the mosque will be a gain’.