Lady Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said that when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) would begin ghusl (ritual bath), he would first wash his hands, then perform wudu (ablution) as he would for prayer, then take water in his hand and run his fingers through the roots of his hair, and when he was satisfied that the water had reached the roots, he would pour water over his head three times with cupped hands, and then perform the bath. Imam Darimi Abu Muhammad (may Allah have mercy on him) said: This method is more beloved to me than the narration of Salim bin Abi Al-Ja'd.