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Ablution is one of the distinctions Allah has granted the community of Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. By it, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, will recognize his community among all other communities on the Day of Resurrection, as related in the hadith:

“He was asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, how will you recognize those of your community who come after you?’ He replied, ‘Tell me: if a man had horses with white blazes and white lower legs among entirely black horses, would he not recognize his horses?’ They said, ‘Yes indeed.’ He said, ‘They will come on the Day of Resurrection with radiant faces and limbs from ablution, and I shall precede them to the Cistern.’”

It has also been narrated:

“The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, performed ablution, washing each part once, and said, ‘This is the ablution without which Allah does not accept prayer.’ He then performed ablution, washing each part twice, and said, ‘This is the ablution of one whose reward Allah doubles.’ He then performed ablution, washing each part three times, and said, ‘This is my ablution and the ablution of the prophets before me.’”

Al-Musayyab ibn Wādih narrated this from ʿAmr ibn Dīnār, from Ibn ʿUmar. Abū Muhammad—I believe he was al-Asīlī—said: “This is not established. Al-Musayyab ibn Wādih is weak, and no hadith concerning ablution is authentically reported from Ibn ʿUmar. Ablution is a distinction exclusive to this community, and Allah, glorified and exalted be He, knows best.”

I say: Even if the hadith is authentic, what is meant in the report is that the community of Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, is distinguished specifically by radiant faces and limbs.

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There is disagreement over the interpretation of the verse, both as a whole and in its details. As for its interpretation as a whole, it has been said that some of its clauses have been placed before or after their intended logical position, and that its wording is to be understood in this order:

“O you who believe, when you rise for prayer, or one of you comes from relieving himself, or you have touched women, wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows