On the Prescribed Number of Washings in Ablution

This chapter comprises seven issues. First, no particular number of washings is obligatory in ablution; what is obligatory is thorough washing, whether achieved in one washing or several. Second, washing three times is recommended if thorough washing has been achieved with fewer. Third, exceeding three washings is disliked if thorough washing has been achieved with three or fewer. Fourth, washing three times is better than twice, although one is free to choose between two and three.

Fifth, confining oneself to a single washing is disliked. There is disagreement over the reason for this: some say it is disliked because one thereby forgoes the additional merit altogether; others say it is disliked for fear that a single washing may not cover the entire area. This latter explanation is supported by the report that Mālik said, “I do not approve of a single washing except for someone knowledgeable about ablution.”

Sixth, the recommendation to repeat applies only to the parts that are washed, not those that are wiped. Seventh, repetition requires taking fresh water. Thus, passing the hands back over the head when wiping it is not considered a repetition of the wiping.

By his statement, “The transmitted reports differ concerning the prescribed limits,” he means the number of washings. It is reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, performed ablution washing each part once, each part twice, and each part three times; he also washed some parts twice and others three times. These differences do not constitute a contradiction; rather, they indicate a choice and make known the latitude allowed. Success comes from Allah.