Wudu Guide
Step-by-step guide to performing ablution
What is Wudu?
Wudu (ablution) is the Islamic procedure for cleansing parts of the body with water, usually in preparation for formal prayers (Salah) and before handling or reciting the Quran. It is both a spiritual and physical cleansing.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ فَاغْسِلُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى الْمَرَافِقِ وَامْسَحُوا بِرُءُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ
"O you who believe! 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."
Quran 5:6
Steps of Wudu
Make Intention (Niyyah)
Make the intention in your heart to perform wudu for the purpose of purification and worship.
Wash Hands
Wash both hands up to the wrists three times, ensuring water reaches between the fingers.
Rinse Mouth
Take water into your mouth with your right hand and rinse thoroughly three times.
Clean Nose
Sniff water into your nostrils and blow it out three times, using left hand to remove water.
Wash Face
Wash the entire face three times, from the hairline to the chin, and from ear to ear.
Wash Arms
Wash both arms from fingertips to elbows three times, starting with the right arm.
Wipe Head
With wet hands, wipe the entire head once, from the forehead to the back and return.
Wipe Ears
Using the same wetness, wipe the inside and outside of both ears once.
Wash Feet
Wash both feet up to the ankles three times, including between the toes, starting with the right foot.
Dua After Wudu
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ، اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِي مِنَ التَّوَّابِينَ وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنَ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ
Ashhadu an la ilaha illallahu wahdahu la shareeka lahu, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasooluhu. Allahumma-j'alni minat-tawwabeena wa-j'alni minal-mutatahhireen.
"I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. O Allah, make me among those who repent and make me among those who purify themselves."
What Breaks Wudu?
- Natural discharge (urine, stool, gas)
- Deep sleep (where you lose awareness)
- Loss of consciousness or mental control
- Bleeding from a wound (in some schools)
- Vomiting a mouthful (in some schools)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I perform wudu with nail polish?
Regular nail polish creates a barrier that prevents water from reaching the nail. For wudu to be valid, water must reach all required parts. Breathable nail polishes are debated among scholars.
Do I need to remove makeup for wudu?
Waterproof makeup that forms a barrier should be removed. Water-based makeup that allows water to penetrate to the skin is generally acceptable.
What if I have a bandage or cast?
If removing a bandage would cause harm, you can wipe over the bandage (masah) instead of washing the area underneath.
Can I wipe over socks?
Yes, if the socks were put on while in a state of wudu. This is valid for 24 hours for a resident and 72 hours for a traveler according to most scholars.