Wudhu (Ablution) Tutorial

Learn the proper method of performing wudhu, an essential purification ritual before prayer

Wudhu is the Islamic procedure for cleansing parts of the body before prayer. It is a requirement for the validity of prayer and involves washing specific parts of the body in a particular order.

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.

Quran 5:6

Step-by-Step Wudhu Guide

Video Demonstration

This video demonstrates the proper method of performing wudhu (ablution)

Before You Begin

Before starting wudhu, ensure you have:

  • Access to clean water
  • Removed any barriers that prevent water from reaching the skin (like nail polish, thick makeup, etc.)
  • The intention (niyyah) to perform wudhu for prayer

1Intention and Bismillah

Intention

Make the intention in your heart to perform wudhu for prayer. Then say "Bismillah" (In the name of Allah).

2Washing Hands

Washing Hands

Wash both hands up to the wrists three times, ensuring water reaches between the fingers.

3Rinsing Mouth

Rinsing Mouth

Take water in your right hand and rinse your mouth three times, using your right hand to put water in your mouth.

4Sniffing Water

Sniffing Water

Take water in your right hand, sniff it into your nostrils, and then blow it out using your left hand. Repeat three times.

5Washing Face

Washing Face

Wash your entire face three times, from forehead to chin and from ear to ear, ensuring water reaches all parts including around the eyes and nose.

6Washing Arms

Washing Arms

Wash your right arm from the fingertips up to and including the elbow three times, starting from the fingertips to the elbows (as per Ibadi practice). Then repeat with the left arm.

7Wiping Head

Wiping Head

Wet your hands and wipe over your head from the forehead to the back of the head and then back to the forehead once.

8Wiping Ears

Wiping Ears

Using the same water from wiping the head, use your index fingers to clean the inside of your ears and your thumbs to clean behind your ears.

9Washing Feet

Washing Feet

Wash your right foot including the ankle three times, ensuring water reaches between the toes. Then repeat with the left foot.

10Dua After Wudhu

Dua After Wudhu

After completing wudhu, recite the following dua:

أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ

Ash-hadu an laa ilaaha illallahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasooluhu

"I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone with no partner and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger."

Things That Break Wudhu

Your wudhu becomes invalid if any of the following occur:

  • Natural discharge from the private parts (urine, stool, wind, etc.)
  • Deep sleep where one loses awareness
  • Losing consciousness
  • Touching the private parts directly without a barrier
  • Bleeding or discharge of pus in significant amounts

Pro Tip!

It's recommended to perform wudhu even when you're already in a state of purity, as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever performs wudhu while already in a state of purity, Allah writes for him ten good deeds."