The Ruling on Washing the Hands Before Ablution

Question:
Washing the hands before ablution?

Answer:
The recommended practice (sunnah) is to wash them three times, except for one who has slept, in which case it appears that the recommended practice is obligatory. If one gets up from sleeping at night, it is obligatory for him to wash them three times; because they contain commands and prohibitions, the best course is to adhere to them and hold the view that they are obligatory; because this is the default ruling for commands and prohibitions—obligation. The majority of scholars held that it is a recommended practice (sunnah) like the rest of the commands in ablution, but what was reported regarding washing the hands when getting up from sleep is clear in its obligation. The believer should wash them three times before putting them in the vessel. As for during the day and sleeping during the day, the matter is broader.
In any case, if one gets up from sleep, even during the day, he should wash them three times; because some scholars equated sleeping during the day with sleeping at night based on the apparent meaning of some hadiths. As for when one is not sleeping, it is a recommended practice (sunnah); if he wishes, he may wash them three times, it is a recommended practice (sunnah) absolutely.