Purification · Wudu

How to do Wudu: Step-by-Step Guide

Wudu (ablution) is the ritual purification performed before prayer. Here is how to perform it correctly according to the Sunnah.

O you who have believed! When you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles.

Al-Qur’an 5:6
1

Make the Intention (Niyyah) & Say Bismillah

Make the silent intention in your heart to perform Wudu for purification, then say:

بِسْمِ اللّهِ (Bismillah)

In the name of Allah.

2

Wash Hands Three Times

Wash your right hand up to the wrist three times, ensuring water goes between the fingers. Then wash your left hand three times in the same manner.

3

Rinse Mouth Three Times

Take water into your mouth with your right hand, swirl it around, and spit it out. Repeat this three times.

4

Inhale Water into Nose Three Times

Sniff water gently into your nose using your right hand, then blow it out using your left hand. Repeat this three times.

5

Wash Face Three Times

Wash your face three times, from the hairline to the chin, and from ear to ear. Make sure no part of the face remains dry.

6

Wash Arms Three Times

Wash your right arm from the fingertips up to and including the elbow three times. Then do the same for your left arm three times.

7

Wipe Head Once (Masah)

Wet your hands and run them from the front of your hairline to the back of your neck, and then bring them back to the front. This is done once.

8

Wipe Ears Once

Using your wet index fingers, wipe the inside of both ears, and use your thumbs to wipe behind them. This is done once.

9

Wash Feet Three Times

Wash your right foot up to and including the ankles three times, rubbing between the toes with your pinky finger. Repeat the same for your left foot three times.

10

Recite the Shahada

Upon completing Wudu, look up slightly and recite the testimony of faith:

َأشْهَدُ َأنْ لا ِالَهَ ِالاّ اللّهُ وَحْدَذُ لا شَرِيكَ لَسُ، َوَأشْهَدُ َأنْ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ

Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluh.

\"I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.\"

The Obligatory (Farz) Acts of Wudu

There are four compulsory acts in Wudu. If any of these are missed, the Wudu is not valid:

  • Washing the face completely.
  • Washing both arms up to and including the elbows.
  • Wiping a quarter of the head.
  • Washing both feet up to and including the ankles.

The remaining steps (washing wrists, rinsing mouth, cleaning nose, wiping ears) are Sunnah (highly recommended actions of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ).

Proceed to How to Pray Salah →