The Ruling on Washing the Hands Before Ablution

Question:
May Allah keep you safe, Your Eminence the Shaykh, is washing the hands prescribed before the ablution always, O Shaykh?

Answer:
Always, yes, it is a recommended practice (sunnah) always. As for waking from sleep at night, it is obligatory; the stronger position is that it is obligatory when waking from sleep at night. Likewise, sniffing water three times: if one wakes from sleep at night, he should sniff water three times. This is a confirmed recommended practice (sunnah mu’akkadah) according to the majority, and there is a strong opinion regarding its obligation. This is because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded it, saying: “Wake up, then spit, then sniff three times, for the Shaytan settles in your nostrils.” This implies obligation, as the default ruling for a command is obligation. However, the majority understood it as a recommendation. Yes.