and performed ablution like that of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) in front of them

‘Abdullah ibn Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him) clarified how the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) used to perform ablution practically. He asked for a small water container. First, he started by washing his hands; he tilted the container, poured water, and washed them thrice outside the container. Then, he put his hand inside the container and took three handfuls of water, and with each handful of water, he rinsed his mouth, sniffed water into his nostrils, and blew it out. After that, he took water from the container and washed his face thrice. Then, he took water therefrom and washed his hands up to the elbows twice each. He again put his hand in the container and wiped over his head with both hands, starting from the hairline and back to the nape, the upper part of the neck, and then returned them to the place where he started from. After that, he washed his feet along with the ankles.