The Messenger of Allah say: "Shall I not tell you of something by means of which Allah expiates for sins and increases good deeds?" They said: "Yes, O Messenger of Allah." He said: "Perform ablution properly despite difficulties, increasing the number of steps one takes towards the mosque and waiting for the next prayer after prayer.'"
The Prophet said: "Sins are expiated by well-performed ablution despite difficulties, increasing the number of steps one takes towards the mosque, (and waiting for the next prayer after prayer)."
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ حَفْصِ بْنِ هِشَامِ بْنِ زَيْدِ بْنِ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ كَثِيرٍ أَبُو النَّضْرِ، صَاحِبُ الْبَصْرِيِّ عَنْ يَزِيدَ الرَّقَاشِيِّ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ إِذَا تَوَضَّأَ خَلَّلَ لِحْيَتَهُ وَفَرَّجَ أَصَابِعَهُ مَرَّتَيْنِ .
"When the Messenger of Allah performed ablution, he ran his fingers through his beard and separated his fingers (to let water run through them) twice."
"Can you show me how the Messenger of Allah used to perform ablution?" 'Abdullah bin Zaid said: "Yes," So he called for water, poured it over his hands and washed his hands twice. Then he raised his mouth and sniffed water up into his nostrils three times. Then he washed his face three times and his arms up to his elbows twice. Then he wiped his head with his hands, from front to back. He started at the front of his head, then went with them to the nape of his neck, then he brought them back, returning them to the place he started, then he washed his feet."
حَدَّثَنَا هَنَّادُ بْنُ السَّرِيِّ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الأَحْوَصِ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ أَبِي حَيَّةَ، عَنْ عَلِيٍّ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ مَسَحَ رَأْسَهُ مَرَّةً .