it from the beginning, because you are excused due to forgetfulness.”1 Here ends his statement—may Allah have mercy on him.
As for assigning a particular supplication to each part washed during ablution—one for washing the hands, another for washing the face, another for washing the feet, and so forth—nothing of this has been authentically reported from the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—and a Muslim must not practice any of it. This includes what some people say when rinsing the mouth: “O Allah, grant me a cup from Your Prophet’s Cistern after which I shall never thirst again”; when rinsing the nose: “O Allah, do not deprive me of the fragrance of Your bliss and Your Gardens”; when washing the face: “O Allah, brighten my face on the Day when some faces will be bright and others dark”; when washing the hands: “O Allah, give me my record in my right hand. O Allah, do not give me my record in my left hand”; when wiping the head: “O Allah, forbid my hair and skin to the Fire”; when wiping the ears: “O Allah, make me among those who listen to what is said and follow the best of it”; and when washing the feet: “O Allah, keep my feet firm upon the Bridge.” None of this has any basis in the teachings of the noble Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him.
A Muslim must confine himself to what is established in the sunnah and avoid what people subsequently introduced. Ibn al-Qayyim—may Allah have mercy on him—said: “As for the remembrances that ordinary people recite during ablution for each part of the body, they have no basis from the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—nor from any of the Companions, the Followers, or the four imams. A hadith reported concerning them is a fabrication against the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him.” Here ends his statement.2
It is recommended for a Muslim to say upon completing ablution: “I testify that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah, and that Muhammad is Allah’s servant and Messenger,” based on the authentic report in Sahīh Muslim from Uqbah ibn