Abu Hayyah (may Allah have mercy on him) says that once Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Shall I not show you how the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) performed ablution? We said: Why not. He said: Then bring me a basin and a vessel of water. So first he washed both his hands three times, then rinsed his mouth three times, put water into his nose three times, washed his face three times, washed his hands up to the elbows three times, wiped his head, and washed both his feet up to the ankles three times.