In the hadith of Aishah, may Allah be pleased with her: “Then he would run his fingers through his hair until, when he thought that he had moistened his skin, he would pour water over it three times, then wash the rest of his body.” (1) Its apparent meaning is that he first pours water over it and runs his fingers through it, then afterward pours water over it three times.

Some scholars said that her statement, “three times,” does not encompass the entire head; rather, once for the right side, once for the left, and once for the middle, (2) as indicated by what he did when he was brought a vessel resembling a milk-pail: (3) he took some from it and washed the right side of his head with it, then the left, then the middle of his head. (4)

And he washes his entire body three times, …

His statement, “and he washes his entire body,” is supported by the hadiths of Aishah and Maimunah, may Allah be pleased with them: “Then he poured water over the rest of his body.” (5)

His statement, “three times,” is by analogy with wudu, in which washing three times is prescribed. This is the well-known view of the school.

Shaykh al-Islam and a group of scholars held that there is no washing three times in bathing the body, (6) since this is not authentically reported from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him; therefore, it is not prescribed