Abu Matar says that once we were sitting with the Commander of the Faithful, Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), at the time of decline (zawal) in the mosque near the Bab al-Rahbah, when a man came and said, "Show me how the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) performed ablution." Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) called his servant Qanbar and said, "Bring water in a bowl." Then he washed his hands and face three times, rinsed his mouth three times, put one finger in his mouth, put water in his nose three times, washed his arms three times, wiped his head once—wiping the inner part from the face side and the outer part from the head side—and washed his feet up to the ankles three times. At that time, his beard was hanging over his chest. Then after ablution, he drank a sip of water and said, "Where is the one who asked about the ablution of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)? The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to perform ablution in this manner."