Has the Hadeeth, "Were it not that I would overburden my Ummah, I would have ordered them to perform Wudu for every prayer," been mentioned in the books of Sunnah? What is its degree of authenticity? Is it meant to highlight the virtue of Wudu and the greatness of its reward?

The use of the miswak is recommended when performing ablution (wudu') and prayer (salat). The aforementioned hadith is a good (hasan) hadith, narrated by Ahmad and An-Nasa'i from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), with the wording: "Were it not that I would overburden my Ummah, I would have commanded them to perform ablution for every prayer, and to use the miswak with every ablution, and to delay the night prayer (Isha') until a third of the night." This indicates the recommendation of performing ablution for every prayer, which was the prevalent practice of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). It is also permissible to perform several prayers with a single ablution, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did this occasionally.