ABLUTION SECTION · 97 – Sufficient Amount of Water for Ritual Bathing
Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) would perform ablution in a vessel called a *farak* when in a state of ritual impurity.
Abu Dawud said: Ma’mar narrated to me the following hadith through Zuhri, saying: Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) and I would perform ablution from a vessel containing the measure of a *farak* [A *farak* is a container that holds two *sa’s*; approximately 6.666 grams of water].
Abu Dawud said: I heard Ahmad ibn Hanbal say: A *farak* is sixteen *ritls*.
I also heard him say: The son of Abu Zayd stated that a *sa'* is five *ritls* and one-third of a *ritl*. He said: Whoever says eight *ritls*, it is not considered reliable.
Abu Dawud said: I also heard Ahmad ibn Hanbal say: Whoever gives in the obligatory charity for fitting (i.e., dates) our measure of five *ritls* and one-third of a *ritl*, then he has fulfilled it.
It was said: The *sayhani* is heavier [when measured within dates].
The Imam said: The *sayhani* is better. [After some thought] I do not know which is heavier.