How to perform wudu (ablution), step by step

The Prophet ﷺ said that no prayer is accepted without wudu (Sahih al-Bukhari 135). A detailed description of the Prophet’s wudu is in Sahih al-Bukhari 159.

1. 1Sunnah

   Intention and Bismillah

   Intend in your heart to purify yourself for prayer and say “Bismillah”. Saying the intention aloud is not required.

2. 2Sunnah3 times

   Wash both hands

   Wash both hands up to the wrists, three times, running the fingers of one hand between the fingers of the other.

3. 3Sunnah3 times

   Rinse the mouth

   Take water into the mouth with the right hand, swirl it around and spit it out, three times. Use a miswak first if you have one.

4. 4Sunnah3 times

   Clean the nose

   Sniff a little water into the nostrils with the right hand and blow it out with the left, three times. Do not sniff hard if you are fasting.

5. 5Fard3 times

   Wash the face

   Wash the whole face three times, from the hairline to the chin and from ear to ear, so that no part stays dry. Run wet fingers through a beard.

6. 6Fard3 times

   Wash the arms to the elbows

   Wash the right arm from the fingertips up to and including the elbow, three times, then the left arm the same way. Move rings and watches so water reaches the skin.

7. 7Fard

   Wipe the head (masah)

   With wet hands wipe over the head once, from the front to the back and back to the front. In the Hanafi school the minimum that fulfils the obligation is about a quarter of the head; the sunnah is to wipe all of it.

8. 8Sunnah

   Wipe the ears

   With the same wetness wipe the inside of the ears with the index fingers and the back with the thumbs.

9. 9Fard3 times

   Wash the feet to the ankles

   Wash the right foot up to and including the ankle, three times, then the left foot. Use the little finger of the left hand to clean between the toes.

10. 10Sunnah

    Dua after wudu

    Face the qibla if you can and say the testimony of faith. See the verified dua page for the Arabic, meaning and source.

    Open the dua page →

1. 1

   Wash the face

2. 2

   Wash the arms to the elbows

3. 3

   Wipe the head (masah)

4. 4

   Wash the feet to the ankles

Agreed by the schools

• Anything that leaves the front or back passage: urine, stool or passing wind.
• Deep sleep, such as sleeping lying down or leaning so that awareness is lost.
• Loss of consciousness: fainting, intoxication or insanity.

Now you are ready to pray: learn how to pray.