Its ruling is that the one who performs it in compliance with the command is rewarded, while the one who leaves it is not punished.

The siwak, washing the hands three times—which is obligatory after a night’s sleep . . .

His statement, “The siwak”: it has already been mentioned that its use is especially emphasized when performing ablution. The evidence is the Prophet’s ﷺ statement: “Were it not that I would cause hardship to my ummah, I would have commanded them to use the siwak with every ablution” (1).

His statement, “and washing the hands three times”: this is because, whenever he ﷺ performed ablution, he would begin by washing his hands three times (2). Moreover, they are the instruments used for washing: water is conveyed by them, and the limbs are rubbed with them. It is therefore more appropriate that their purification come first.

If it is asked: Why is it not said that washing them is obligatory, since the Prophet ﷺ consistently did so?

The answer is that Allah says: “O you who believe! When you rise for prayer, wash your faces…” [al-Ma’idah: 6], and He did not mention the hands.

His statement, “and it is obligatory after a night’s sleep”: the pronoun in his statement, “it is obligatory,” refers to washing the hands three times. This applies when one intends to immerse them in a vessel.

The evidence is the hadith of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet ﷺ said: “When one of you awakens from sleep, let him not immerse his hand in the vessel;