Abu Ayyub Ansari, Jabir bin Abdullah Ansari, and Anas bin Malik Ansari (may Allah be pleased with them) narrate that when this verse was revealed: "In this town, there are people who love to remain pure, and Allah loves those who purify themselves," the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "O Ansar! Allah has praised your purification. How do you purify yourselves?" They replied: "O Messenger of Allah! We perform ablution for prayer and take a bath after major impurity." The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) asked: "Do you do anything else?" They replied: "That is all, except that when we relieve ourselves, we prefer to cleanse ourselves with water." He said: "That is the reason, so continue to do so."

Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) would go out to relieve himself, I and another (Ansari) boy would follow behind him carrying a water vessel. When he finished relieving himself, I would hand him the vessel and the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) would perform istinja (cleaning).