and inhale from three scoops. If he wishes, he may do that three times from a single scoop, based on the hadiths we have mentioned. If he performs the mouth-rinsing with three separate scoops and the inhalation with three separate scoops, it is permissible, because it has been narrated in the hadith of Talha ibn Musarrif, from his father, from his grandfather, from the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), that he separated the mouth-rinsing from the inhalation. Reported by Abu Dawud (23). And also because the specific method of washing is not mandatory.
Section: The sequence (tartib) between these two and the washing of the rest of the face is not mandatory, because they are parts of it. However, it is recommended to start with them before the face, because everyone who described the wudu of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) mentioned that he started with them, except in rare instances. Is the sequence and continuity (muwalat) mandatory between them and the other limbs besides the face? There are two narrations: one of them is that it is mandatory, which is the apparent view in the statement of al-Khiraqi, because they are part of the face, so it is required to wash them before washing the hands due to the verse (of the Quran) and by analogy to the rest of its parts. The second narration is that it is not mandatory; rather, if one were to omit them during his wudu and pray (24), he could then rinse his mouth and inhale and repeat the prayer without having to repeat the wudu. This is based on what was narrated by al-Miqdam ibn Ma'dikarib, that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was brought water for wudu, and he washed his hands three times, then washed [his face three times, then washed] (25) his forearms three times, then rinsed his mouth and inhaled. Reported by Abu Dawud (26). And because their obligation is not derived from the Quran; rather, the obligation of the sequence between the members mentioned [in the Quran] (27) was established because the verse indicates the intention of sequence, and that is not found in their case. Ahmad was asked: If he forgets the mouth-rinsing alone? He said: In my view, inhalation is more emphatic (28), due to the authenticity of the reports narrated specifically regarding it. Our companions said: Are they both considered an obligation (fard) along with their being mandatory? There are...
(23) In: The Chapter on the distinction between mouth-rinsing and inhalation, from the Book of Purification. Sunan Abi Dawud 1/30. (24) In the original, there is an addition: "then". (25) Omitted from M. (26) In: The Chapter on the description of the Prophet's wudu (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), from the Book of Purification. Sunan Abi Dawud 1/27. The author placed the phrase "then he rinsed his mouth and inhaled three times" between brackets, and it came after his statement: "he washed his hands three times." This is likely an editorial adjustment by the publisher. (27) Omitted from M. (28) In the original: "awkad" (more emphatic/urgent).
