Wudu (Ablution) is the procedure for cleaning particular parts of the body, a type of ritual purification. It specifies rules concerning hygiene and defines the rituals that constitute it. It is typically performed before prayers.
Wudu is often translated as 'partial ablution', as opposed to ghusl as 'full ablution' where the whole body is washed.
Allah (SWT) says in the Quran :
"Surely Allah loves those who turn to Him and those who care for cleanliness" (2:22).
"O you who believe! When you intend to perform the 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)
Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said,
"Allah does not accept prayer without wudu ..." (Sahih - Muslim )
How to perform Wudu (Ablution)
Make Niyyah (Intention) for Wudu
Before starting the 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.
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)
After niyyah, start wudu by saying aloud or silently:
"Bismillah"
(In the Name of Allah)
Wash 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 Prophet (SAW) make wudu just as I have made wudu." (Sahih - Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Wash 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)
Sniff Water Into the Nose and Then Ejecting It
Put water into the right palm, sniff the water into the nose, and breathe it into its backmost part, then eject the water from the nose with the fingers on the left hand. Repeat three times.
Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) 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 Prophet (SAW) - then this is his purification." (Sahih - Ad-Daarimee)
Wash 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 Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) made wudu. Humran (RA) said, "Then he washed his face three times." (Sahih - Al-Bukhari, Muslim)
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 Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) , 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)
Wash the forearms 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 perform the 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 Prophet (SAW) make wudu.'" (Sahih - Muslim)
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 bringing them back to the forehead.
Allah (SWT) said, "O you who believe! When you intend to perform the 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)
Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) wiped his head with his two hands, moving them forwards and backward - 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 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. 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 Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) , "Wiped his head with water remaining in his hand". (Hasan - Abu Dawood and others)
Wash 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, "Prophet (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 Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) 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 which 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 Prophet (SAW) wipe over his turban and leather socks." (Sahih - Al-Bukhari and others)
How Many Times For Each Action in Wudu
Uthman (RA) recorded that the (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, "Prophet (SAW) used to like to begin with the right in putting on shoes, combing his hair, in wudu and in all of his affairs." (Sahih - Al-Bukhari, Muslim, and others)
Supplication after wudu
After wudu, recite
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ . اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِي مِنَ التَّوَّابِينَ وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنَ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ . سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْكَ
Ash-hadu an laa ilaaha illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa Rasooluhu. Allaahummaj alnee minat-tawwaabeena waj alnee minal-mutatahhireen. Subhaanaka Allaahumma wa bihamdika, ash-hadu an laa ilaaha illaa Anta, astaghfiruka wa atoobu ilayk.
I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, Who has no partner; and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger. O Allah, make me among those who turn to You in repentance and make me among those who are purified. Glory is to You, O Allah, and praise; I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but You. I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance.
Prophet (SAW) said, "Anyone recites the above supplication after wudu, 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)
Pre conditions Of Wudu
- Being a Muslim
- Being mentally sound
- Having discretion
- Take wudu with Tahur water
- Drain the water in the organs
- There should be no contaminants in the water, and there should be no contaminants on the washed organs, even if they are non-polluting substances.
- Avoid wax and oil-containing substances that prevent water from entering the organs
- For those who have persistent ailments like urinary incontinence, bleeding, flatulence, etc., take wudu only after making sure that it is time for Prayer
Obligatory Acts Of Wudu
- Intention
- Wash the whole face
- Wash the forearms including the elbows
- Wiping over the head
- Wash feet including the ankles
- Do it in Sequence
Sunnah Acts Of Wudu
- Reciting “Bismillah” before you begin.
- Do Miswak and clean your teeth and tongue with a brush or other means.
- Say Bismi again. Then Pray"
- Wash both hands
- rinsing the mouth and the nose, before washing the face
- pass wet fingers upwards beginning from under the chin
- pass wet fingers of the right hand through the left and the left’s through the right hand and passes the small finger of the left hand between the toes at the point of the feet
- wipe the head completely
- wipe the inner sides of the ears with the forefingers and upper sides with the thumbs
- Carefully wash the fingers and toes
- Start with the right organs before the left
- Wash the face, hands, and feet up to 3 times instead of once
- To wash all parts (limbs) in so succession that the first one does not go dry on washing the next
- Carefully wash the area such as the mound and the pit
- Turn towards the Qibla
- Raise your eyes and hands to the sky and make dua
Activities that invalidate wudu
Activities that invalidate wudu include urination, defecation, flatulence, deep sleep, light bleeding, unconsciousness, menstruation, postpartum and sexual intercourse.
Avoid performing from Salat during the days of your normal menses then wash and make wudu for every Salat and then pray
And Allah knows best