Hazrat Humran says that once Hazrat Usman (may Allah be pleased with him) asked for water and performed ablution, then he smiled. Then he said, "Will you not ask me why I smiled?" The people said, "O Commander of the Faithful! Why did you smile?" He replied, "I saw the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) perform ablution just as I have performed it. He rinsed his mouth three times, cleaned his nose three times, washed his face three times, washed his arms three times, and then wiped over the head and the apparent part of the feet."