" Pouring of three handfuls of water on the head." and in the hadith narrated by Waki' all the features of ablution have been recorded: rinsing (of mouth), snuffing of water (in the nostrils) ; and in the hadith transmitted by Abu Mu'awyia, there is no mention of a towel.
Sahih Muslim Book 3, Hadith 45
← Previous Hadith I placed water near the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) to take a bath because of sexual intercourse. He washed the palms of his bands twice or thrice and then put his hand In the basin and poured water over his private parts and washed them with his left hand. He then struck his hand against the earth and rubbed it with force and then performed ablution for the prayer and then poured three handfuls of water on his head and then washed his whole body after which he moved aside from that place and washed his feet, and then I brought a towel (so that he may wipe his body). but he returned it.

Sahih Muslim Book 3, Hadith 44 Next Hadith → Ibn Abbas narrated It on the authority of Maimuna that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was given a towel, but he did not rub (his body) with it, but he did like this with water, i. e. he shook it off.

Sahih Muslim Book 3, Hadith 46