Why did we not state that rinsing the mouth is recommended in ablution, just as we did for starting with the right side, even though both are established in the Sunnah equally?

The questioner : May Allah reward you, O Shaykh. Why did we say in ... that it is evidence for the obligation, and not for the recommendation? Is it that rinsing the mouth in ablution is recommended because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not make rinsing the mouth a condition?

The Shaykh : What?

The questioner : Why did we not state that rinsing the mouth is recommended in ablution, as we did for starting with the right side in ablution, even though neither of them was made a condition?

The Shaykh : Do you not see the difference between them? Starting with the left side, while starting with the right is recommended, does not result in the washing of a limb being omitted; both will be washed. The disagreement is only regarding the manner. As for rinsing the mouth, if we omit it, we have omitted the washing of a limb. Furthermore, it is included in the face, because the mouth is in the face and the nose is in the face. And since it was the custom of the Messenger to clean them by washing, this is like an explanation of the fact that rinsing the mouth and sniffing water are included in the washing of the face.