How to perform wudu (ritual ablution)

Wuḍū’ (ritual ablution) is one of the most important acts of worship in Islam. Wuḍū’ consists of the purification of one’s body and, at its completion, renders one in a state of ritual purity. It is a precondition to performing the Ṣalāh and has virtues in and of itself. It is a means of outward and inward purification and a cause for the expiation of sins. In order to get the most out of this act of worship, it is vital for one to know how to perform it in the best way possible.

“…and Allāh loves those who purify themselves.”

Sūrah At-Tawbah 9:108

“He has certainly succeeded who purifies himself and mentions the name of his Lord and prays.”

Sūrah Al-A’lā 87:14-15

The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said, “When a Muslim or a believer washes his face in ablution, every sin that he committed with his eyes will be washed away with the last drop of water. When he washes his hands, every sin that he committed with his hands will be washed away with the last drop of water. When he washes his feet, every sin that he committed with his feet will be washed away with the last drop of water, until he emerges purified from sin.”

Sahih Muslim 244

The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said, “A Muslim man does not perform ablution in an excellent manner and then performs prayer, but that Allāh will forgive him for what occurred between his prayer and the next.”

Sahih Muslim 227a

The act of wuḍū’ is broken down into two categories: the obligatory integrals and the emphasized sunnahs. Following the list of the two categories, a detailed step-by-step process on how to make wuḍū’, integrating the sunnahs, is provided.

Obligatory Integrals:

1. Washing the face, whose lengthwise demarcation is from the top of the forehead to the bottom of the chin for someone without a thick beard or [for one with a thick beard] to the bottom of the beard [that lies on the face, as opposed to the hair that hangs below the chin]. Its demarcation in width is from one earlobe to the other, even for someone with a beard.
2. Washing the two arms up to, and including, the elbows
3. Wiping a fourth of the head
4. Washing the two feet up to, and including, the ankles

Emphasized Sunnahs:

1. The intention (niyyah)
2. Using the tooth stick (miswāk)
3. Mentioning the Name of Allāh – to say “Bismillaah hir-Rahmaan nir-Raheem” [In the name of Allāh, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate]
4. Washing the hands up to, and including, the wrists in the beginning of wuḍū’
5. Maintaining the correct order of limbs, as Allāh has listed in His Book
6. Continuity (to continue washing the limbs of wuḍū’ without pausing)
7. Washing [those limbs that are washed] three complete times
8. Rinsing the [entire] mouth [three times]
9. Rinsing the [soft part of the] nose [three times]
10. Running one’s wet fingers through the beard
11. Running one’s wet fingers in between the fingers and toes
12. Wiping the entire head [once, and the ears with the same water]
13. Rubbing [the limbs when washing them]
14. Starting with the right limb [when washing the arms and feet]
15. Starting with the tips of the fingers and toes [when washing the arms and feet]
16. Starting with the front of the head [when wiping it]
17. Some Hanafi manuals recommend wiping the back of the neck; this is not an obligatory element of wudu.

How to Make Wuḍū’ (step-by-step):

1. Make an intention in your heart, such as, “I intend to perform ritual ablution for the sake of Allāh”
2. Wash the hands up to and including the wrist
3. Invoke the name of Allāh, such as saying “Bismillaah hir-Rahmaan nir-Raheem” [In the name of Allāh, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate]
4. Rinse the entire mouth three times, with three handfuls of water
5. Brush your teeth, with a tooth stick (miswaak) or toothbrush
6. Rinse the nose three times, with a handful of water each time. It is recommended to take water into the nostrils with the right hand and blow it out using the left hand.
7. Wash the entire face. The face is defined as being from the top of the forehead to the bottom of the chin, and from earlobe to earlobe. This is the first of the four obligatory acts of the ritual ablution. It is sunnah to wash the face three complete times. After this, pass the wetted fingers through the beard (if applicable). It is recommended to start washing from the forehead. Also, one should avoid slapping water onto the face, as this is improper.
8. Wash your arms completely, up to and including the elbows. This is the second of the four obligatory acts of ritual ablution. It is sunnah to wash the arms three complete times. After this, it is sunnah to pass the fingers through each other. It is recommended to start washing from the fingertips.
9. Wipe a quarter of the head once (above the ears). This is the third of the four obligatory acts of ritual ablution. It is sunnah to wipe the entire head starting from the top of the forehead, and recommended to also wipe the back of the neck.
10. Wipe the ears (without taking new water). It is recommended to wipe the outsides of the ears with the thumb, the insides with the index fingers and to wipe the outer openings gently, without inserting fingers deeply.
11. Wash the feet up to and including the ankles. This is the fourth and final obligatory action of the ritual ablution. It is sunnah to wash three complete times, and to pass fingers through the toes. It is recommended to start washing from the tips of the toes, to rub with the left hand, and to pass the little finger through the toes starting with the little toe of the right foot and ending with the little toe of the left foot.
12. During the ritual ablution, it is sunnah to observe the above-mentioned order, to wash the limbs successively without undue delay, and to rub the limbs during the first washing. It is recommended to face the qiblah throughout the ritual ablution, and to avoid splashing water onto oneself. It is improper to engage in worldly speech without need, to waste water, or to leave any of the sunnahs without excuse.