How to Perform Wudu (Ablution)
Wudu is the ritual washing required before Salah. Allah says: "O you who believe! When you stand for prayer, wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, wipe your heads, and (wash) your feet up to the ankles." (Quran 5:6)
There are 4 obligatory (fard) parts and 7 sunnah parts. The fard make wudu valid; the sunnah complete the reward.
Niyyah (Intention)
In your heart, intend: "I am performing wudu to make myself ritually pure for prayer." The intention is silent — no need to speak it.
Bismillāh
Begin by saying:
Wash hands ×3
Wash both hands up to the wrists three times, including between the fingers. Start with the right.
Rinse mouth (mudmadah) ×3
Take water in your right hand, rinse your mouth three times. Use a finger to gently brush teeth (or miswak before).
Sniff water (istinshāq) ×3
Take water in your right hand, sniff a small amount into your nose three times. Blow it out with your left.
Wash the face ×3
From the hairline to under the chin, ear to ear. Three times. Make sure water reaches every part — beneath the eyebrows, the inner corners of the eyes.
Wash arms to elbows ×3
Right arm first, then left. From fingertips up to and including the elbow. Three times each. Move rings, watches — water must reach the skin underneath.
Wipe head (masah) ×1
Wet your hands. Place them at the front of your head and wipe back to the nape of the neck, then bring back to the front. Once is enough.
Wipe ears ×1
With the same wet hands, insert index fingers into the ears and wipe behind with your thumbs.
Wash feet to ankles ×3
Right foot first, then left. Wash up to and including the ankles. Make sure water gets between every toe.
Closing du'a
Look up to the sky and say:
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever performs wudu well and recites this — the eight gates of paradise are opened for him." (Sahih Muslim 234)
What breaks wudu?
- Anything coming from the front or back passages (urine, stool, gas, etc.)
- Deep sleep where awareness is lost
- Loss of consciousness (fainting, intoxication)
- Direct contact with the private parts (Hanafi madhab differs)
- Vomiting a mouthful (some scholars; Hanafi includes this; Shafi'i does not)
Wudu is not broken by sneezing, laughing, light sleep while sitting, or eating cooked food — common misconceptions.