It is answered: The Qur’an does not relate that any of them ever prayed without ablution. We are bound to follow from the laws of the earlier prophets only what Allah has narrated to us or what our Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—has informed us of, for it was conveyed to us so that we might take heed.

He, the Exalted, says:
“Those are the ones whom Allah has guided, so follow their guidance.” (Qur’an, 6:90)

He likewise mentions, concerning those who were given knowledge before him, that:
“When it is recited to them, they fall down upon their faces in prostration and say, ‘Glory be to our Lord! The promise of our Lord has indeed come to pass.’ And they fall upon their faces weeping, and it increases them in humility.” (Qur’an, 17:107-109)

Moreover, Allah has made purification obligatory for the prayer, as He commanded in the Qur’an and as is firmly established from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, who said: “Allah does not accept the prayer of any one of you when he invalidates his state of purity until he performs wudu’.” This was recorded by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

In another authentic narration he said: “Allah does not accept prayer without purification, nor charity from misappropriated wealth.”

Furthermore,