The Book of Purification and its Sunnah
1/46. Chapter:
Performing ablution by washing three times
Sunan Ibn Majah
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، عَنْ لَيْثٍ، عَنْ شَهْرِ بْنِ حَوْشَبٍ، عَنْ أَبِي مَالِكٍ الأَشْعَرِيِّ، قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ يَتَوَضَّأُ ثَلاَثًا ثَلاَثًا .
It was narrated that Abu Malik Ash'ari said: "The Messenger of Allah used to perform ablution washing each part three times."
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 417In-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 151English translation : Vol. 1, Book 1, Hadith 417