Wudu (Ablution) in 10 Steps

Actions For Performing Wudu (Ablution)

Perform completely the wudu, imitating the method commanded by Allah (SWT) in the Qu'ran:

Allah (SWT) said, "O you who believe! When you intend to offer prayer, wash your faces and your hands (fore-arms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to ankles…" (Al-Ma'idah 5:6)

The Prophet (SAW) said, "Allah does not accept prayer without purification ..."  (Sahih - Muslim and others)

Making Niyyah (Intention) for Wudu

Before starting the actions of wudu it is necessary to make niyyah. Make niyyah that the act of performing wudu is for the purpose of purity only. Niyyah should be made in the heart because it is an action of the heart and not of the tongue. Niyyah by words is not approved by the Prophet (SAW).

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, "Verily the actions are by intention and there is for everyone only what he intended..." (Sahih - Fath-ul-Baaree and Muslim)

At-Tasmiyyah (Mentioning Allah's Name)

After niyyah, start wudu by saying aloud or silently:

"Bismillah"

(In the Name of Allah)

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, "There is no wudu for him who does not mention Allah's name upon it." (Sahih - Ibn Maajah, At-Tirmithee, Abu Dawood, and others)

1) Washing Hands Up to the Wrist

Start by using the left hand to wash the right hand up to the wrist making sure that no part of the hand is left dry, especially between each finger. Repeat three times. Then use the right hand to wash the left hand up to the wrist making sure that no part of the hand is left dry, especially between each finger. Repeat three times.

Humran (RA) narrates that Uthman (RA) called for water to make wudu and washed his hands three times... then said, "I saw Rasoolullah (SAW) make wudu just as I have made wudu." (Sahih - Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

2) Washing Mouth

Take water into the right hand and wash the mouth by moving the water around inside the mouth making sure to reach the back of the throat. Repeat three times.

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, "When you make wudu then wash your mouth." (Sahih - Al-Baihaqee)

3) Sniffing Water Into the Nose and Then Ejecting It

Put water into the right palm, sniff the water into the nose and breath it into its backmost part, then eject the water from the nose with the fingers on the left hand. Repeat three times.

The Prophet (SAW) said, "When one of you makes wudu then let him enter water into his nose, then expel it." (Sahih - Al-Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawood)

Abd Khair (RA) said, "We were sitting looking towards Ali (RA) - as he made Wudu - and he entered into his mouth a handful of water with his right hand and washed his mouth and nose, then expelled it from his nose with his left hand - he did that three times, then said, 'Whoever would like to see the way of purification of Rasoolullah (SAW) - then this is his purification.'" (Sahih - Ad-Daarimee)

4) Washing the Face

Wash the face, from ear to ear, and forehead to chin making sure that no part of the face is left dry. Repeat three times.

Allah (SWT) said, "O you who believe! When you intend to offer prayer, wash your faces and your hands (fore-arms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to ankles…" (Al-Ma'idah 5:6)

Humran ibn Abaan (RA) narrates that Uthman (RA) called for water to make wudu and so mentioned the way in which the Prophet (SAW) made wudu. Humran (RA) said, "Then he washed his face three times." (Sahih - Al-Bukhari, Muslim)

5) Running Water Through the Beard with the Fingers

Take a handful of water into the right hand and enter it below the chin and rub it through the beard making sure to get all the way down to the roots of the hair.

Anas (RA) narrates that the Prophet (SAW), when he made wudu, used to take a handful of water and enter it below his chin and rub it through his beard and said, "This is what my Lord - the Great and Exalted - has ordered me to do." (Sahih - Abu Dawood, Al-Baihaqee, Al-Haakim)

6) Washing the Hands and Arms Including the Elbows

Use the left hand to wash the right hand, forearm and elbow, up to and including the elbow making sure that no part of the hand, arm and elbow is left dry, especially between the fingers. Repeat three times. Then use the right hand to wash the left hand, forearm and elbow making sure that no part of the hand, arm and elbow is left dry, especially between the fingers. Repeat three times.

Allah (SWT) said, "O you who believe! When you intend to offer prayer, wash your faces and your hands (fore-arms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to ankles…" (Al-Ma'idah 5:6)

Nu'aim ibn Mijmar (RA) said, "I saw Abu Hurairah make wudu - he washed his face and completed the wudu, then washed his right hand until he reached the upper arm, then his left hand till he reached the upper arm" - then in the end of the Hadith he said: "This is how I saw Rasoolullah (SAW) make wudu.'" (Sahih - Muslim)

7) Wiping the Head *

Wipe the head with the fingers of both hands, starting from the forehead, taking them to the nape of the neck, then bring them back to the forehead. Do this one time.

Allah (SWT) said, "O you who believe! When you intend to offer prayer, wash your faces and your hands (fore-arms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to ankles…" (Al-Ma'idah 5:6)

The Prophet (SAW) wiped his head with his two hands, moving them forwards and backwards - beginning with the front of the head and (wiping) with them up to his nape then he (SAW) returned them to the place from which he began. (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Muslim, At-Tirmithee, and others)

*Wiping Over the Turban

Men who wear a head piece that is difficult to remove (such as a turban) should wipe over the head covering. Do this one time.

Amr ibn Umayyah (RA) said, "I saw Rasoolullah (SAW) wipe over his turban and leather socks." (Sahih - Al-Bukhari and others)

*Wiping Over the Turban and Forelock

If part of the head is uncovered and it is normally so, then it is preferable to wipe over the part that is uncovered along with the turban. Do this one time.

Shu'bah (RA) said, "The Messenger of Allah (SAW) made wudu and wiped over the front portion of his scalp, his turban and his socks. (Sahih - Muslim)

*Woman's Head Cover

As for the woman's head cover, it is also permissible to wipe over it. This would be the case of a woman that has no private place for wudu (i.e. where non-Mahram men or non-Muslim women may see them). Do this one time. Umm Salamah (RA) used to wipe over her head cover . (See'al-Mughnee' - Ibn Mundhir)

8) Wiping the Ears

Wipe the ears by inserting the tips of the index fingers into the ears, twist them around the folds of the ears then pass the thumb behind the ears from the bottom, upwards. Wipe the ears with the water used for the head. Do this one time.

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, "The two ears are a part of the head." (Sahih - At-Tirmithee, Abu Dawood, and Ibn Maajah)

From Abdullah ibn Amr (RA) - about the way of performing wudu - he (SAW) said, "Then he (SAW) wiped his head and entered his two forefingers into his ears and wiped the backs of his ears with his thumbs". (Sahih - Abu Dawood, An-Nasaa’ee, Ibn Maajah, Ibn Khuzaimah)

Ar-Rabee bint Mu'awwidh (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW), "Wiped his head with water remaining in his hand". (Hasan - Abu Dawood and others)

9) Washing the Feet and Ankles*

Use the right hand to wash the right foot up to and including the ankle making sure no part of the foot is left dry, especially between the toes. Use the right hand pinkie finger to wash between the toes starting on the right side of the foot. Repeat three times. Then use the left hand to wash the left foot up to and including the ankle making sure no part of the foot is left dry, especially between the toes. Use the left hand pinkie finger to wash between the toes starting on the right side of the foot. Repeat three times.

Allah (SWT) said, "O you who believe! When you intend to offer prayer, wash your faces and your hands (fore-arms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to ankles…" (Al-Ma'idah 5:6)

"Ibn Umar (RA) said, "Rasoolullah (SAW) fell behind us and then came upon us during a journey, then we found him and it was time for 'Asr - so we began to make Wudu and wipe over our feet, so he (SAW) called out at the top of his voice, 'Woe to the ankles from the Fire. (two or three times)'" (Sahih - Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

"Al-Mustaurad (RA) said, "When the Prophet (SAW) made wudu he would enter the water between his toes with his little finger." (Sahih - Abu Dawood, At-Tirmithee, and Ibn Maajah)

*Wiping Over the Foot Covering

Wiping over the top of the foot covering with wet hands instead of washing the feet is allowed, provided that the foot covering has been put on after performing wudu that included washing the feet. Wipe the top of each foot one time, using the right hand for the right foot and the left hand for the left foot. This is allowed for 24 hours from the time of wudu, if not traveling. After this time the feet must be washed. It is allowed for 3 days from the time of wudu, if traveling. After this time the feet must be washed.

Amr ibn Umayyah (RA) said, "I saw Rasoolullah (SAW) wipe over his turban and leather socks." (Sahih - Al-Bukhari and others)

Drying the Body-Parts After Wudu

Drying the body-parts after wudu is a desirable action.

Aishah (RA) said, "Rasoolullah (SAW) had a cloth which he used to dry himself with after making wudu." (Sahih - An-Nasaa'ee)

How Many Times For Each Action in Wudu

Each detail of wudu has been performed by Prophet Muhammad (SAW) once, twice or three times (except wiping of head and ears, these should only be done once). Washing each body-part once is obligatory - and the second and third washings are Sunnah - and it is better to wash three times so as to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW).

Ibn Abbas (RA) said, "Rasoolullah (SAW) made wudu (washing each part) once." (Sahih - Al-Bukhari)

Abdullah ibn Zaid (RA) narrates that the Prophet (SAW) made wudu (washing each part) twice. (Sahih - Al-Bukhari)

Uthman (RA) recorded that he (SAW) washed each of the parts three times. (Sahih - Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Beginning With the Right

Always wash the right hand before the left hand. Always wash the right foot before the left foot. Always wash the right side before the left side.

Aisha (RA) said, "Rasoolullah (SAW) used to like to begin with the right in putting on shoes, combing his hair, in purification and in all of his affairs." (Sahih - Al-Bukhari, Muslim, and others)

Reading Du'as (Supplications) After Wudu

After wudu, first say aloud or silently:

"Ash hadu an la ilaha illal lahu wah dahu la shareeka lahu wa ash hadu an-na muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasulhu"

(I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and I testify that Muhammad (SAW) is His slave and Messenger)

Then say aloud or silently:

"Allah hum maj 'alnee minat taw-wabeena, waj 'alnee minal muta tah-hireen."

(O Allah, make me one of those who constantly repents to You and of those who purify themselves)

Rasoolullah (SAW) said, "None of you makes wudu and completes the wudu then says: "Ash hadu an la ilaha illal lahu wah dahu la shareeka lahu wa ash hadu an-na muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasulhu" except that all eight Gates of Paradise are opened for him - so that he enters by whichever he pleases." (Sahih - Muslim, Abu Dawood, At-Tirmithee, An-Nasaa'ee, Ibn Maajah)

"Allah hum maj 'alnee minat taw-wabeena, waj 'alnee minal muta tah-hireen." (Sahih - At-Tirmithee)

Actions That Break Wudu

Actions that break wudu are as follows: that which comes out from the two private parts (front and back) such as urine*, wind, excretion*, blood*, etc., sound sleep while lying down or reclining, touching the uncovered private parts,

Allah (SWT) said, "…or any of you comes from answering the call of nature, or you have been in contact with women (sexual intercourse)…" (Al-Ma’idah 5:6)

The Prophet (SAW) said, "There is no wudu except from a sound or a smell." (Sahih - Ul-Jaarni)

Rasoolullah (SAW) said, "The eye is the drawstring for the anus, so he who sleeps then let him make wudu." (Sahih - Abu Dawood, Ibn Maajah, Ahmad)

Rasoolullah (SAW) said, "If one of you touches his penis and there is no veil between him and it nor any cover, then wudu has become obligatory for him." (Sahih - Al-Haakim and others)

*That Which Comes Out From the Private Parts

Menstruating and post-partum bleeding women are not permitted to pray. Menstruating and post-partum bleeding women must complete their bleeding period and make ghusl (wudu plus bathing the entire body) before returning to their prayers.

Anyone having a continuous flow of blood, urine or excretion from the privates parts must wash the privates and make wudu for every prayer, after the time has entered. Anyone having continuous impurities from the private parts fall under the rules of istihadah. For more information about itsihadah read Natural Blood of Women by Shayekh Muhammad bin Salih Al-Utheimeen or any other book containing laws from the Quran and authentic Sunnah regarding the natural blood of women.

The Prophet (SAW) said to Fatimah bint Hubaish (RA), "Give up the prayer when your menses begins, and after it finishes, wash the blood off your body (by having a full shower/bath), and start praying." (Sahih - Al-Bukhari)

The Prophet (SAW) told Fatimah bint Hubaish (RA), "Refrain from Salat during the days of your normal menses then wash and make ablution for every Salat and then pray even if blood drops onto the mat!" (Sahih - Al-Bukhari)