It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah and Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with them) that when this verse was revealed: "In it are men who love to purify themselves" [Surah al-Tawbah: 108] , the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "O company of the Ansar, Allah Almighty has praised you most highly regarding purification. So what is this purification of yours?" They said: "We perform ablution (wudu) for the prayer, we take the ritual bath (ghusl) after major ritual impurity (janabah), and we cleanse ourselves (istinja) with water." He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "That is it (the excellent way), so hold fast to it." This hadith is sahih in its chain, and the two Shaykhs did not record it.