III
THE BOOK OF PURIFICATIONS
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Shall I not point you to that by which God blots out sins and raises (your) rank?" They replied, "Yes, O Apostle of God." He said, "The completion of ablutions in a time of difficulty, and the going a long distance to the mosques, and the waiting for another prayer after the completion of one. This is a protection for you."'—Muslim.
It is related from ʿOthmán that, 'The Apostle of God said, "He who performs his ablutions and does them well, his sins go out from his body, so that they even go out from under his finger nails."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from ʿOthmán that he performed his ablutions and poured water on his hands three times, then he washed his mouth, and then cleansed his nose. After that he washed his face three times, then he washed his right arm to his elbow three times, then he washed his left arm to his elbow three times. After that he wiped his hand over his head, then he washed his right foot three times, then the left three times. After that he said, 'I saw the Apostle of God perform his ablutions like these ablutions of mine.' Then he said, 'Whoever performs his ablutions like these ablutions of mine, and then prays two sets of prayers, whilst his mind speaks nothing the while, all his preceding sins will be forgiven him.'—Muslim, Al Bukádrí.
It is related from Jábir that, 'The Apostle of God said, "The key of paradise is prayer, and the key of prayer is purification."'—Aḥmad.
It is related from Shabib bin Abi Rauḥ from one of the companions of the Apostle of God that, 'The Apostle of God prayed the morning prayer and recited (the chapter) Rúm, when he become confused. Then when he had prayed, he said, "What is the matter with the people that they recite the prayers with us, but do not perform the ablutions properly! These people only confuse the Qurʾàn for us."'—An Nasái.
