It is narrated about Sayyiduna Uthman Ghani, may Allah be pleased with him: He performed ablution in the open area (maqā‘id); in Madinah Munawwarah, the open area (maqā‘id) is the place near the mosque where funeral prayers are performed. Sayyiduna Uthman Ghani, may Allah be pleased with him, first washed both his hands three times, then rinsed his nose three times, then rinsed his mouth three times, washed his face three times, then washed both his arms up to the elbows three times, then wiped his head three times, then washed both his feet three times. A person greeted him while he was still performing ablution; Sayyiduna Uthman Ghani, may Allah be pleased with him, did not reply to his greeting until he had finished his ablution. When he finished, he conversed with him and presented an excuse, saying: "I did not reply to your greeting because I heard the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, say: 'Whoever performs ablution in this manner and does not speak during the ablution, and then (after ablution) recites: "I bear witness that there is no deity except Allah, He is One and has no partner, Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, is His special servant and special Messenger," then the sins committed between his two ablutions are forgiven.'"