How to Perform Wudu
Performing wudu is the first, essential step of Salah and is itself an act of worship, that’s why it’s important to make sure it’s done correctly. Make sure not to waste water and know that your wudu washes away minor sins.
Whether you are doing wudu for the first time or just want to refresh your memory, our step-by-step guide makes it easy.
1. Begin by saying ‘Bismillah’.
2. Wash your hands up to the wrists thoroughly three times.
3. Rinse your mouth three times, swirling the water around and rinse your nose three times, blowing the water out using the left hand to remove the water from your nose. The secret of this sunnah is that it lets you check if the water is pure and clean enough to use for wudu!
4. Make your intention that you are now performing the fard (obligatory) actions of wudu.
5. Wash your face three times, from the hairline to the chin and from ear to ear, making sure the whole face, eyebrows, under the nose and lips are washed. A man should wash the hair of his beard. If his beard is thin, he should make sure water reaches the skin, and if it is thick he should wash the surface and run his wet fingers through it.
6. Wash your arms and hands from your fingertips up to your elbows three times. It is essential to remove anything that could prevent the water from reaching the skin i.e. dough, mud, paint etc.
7. Wipe your head starting with your hands at the front of your head, bringing them to the back of your head and then back to the front again. With regards to a woman’s hair, she should wipe it from the front of her head to the roots of the hair at the nape of her neck. She does not have to wipe the entire length of her hair.
8. Wipe your ears by putting your index fingers in your ears and wiping the back with your thumbs. Its preferable to use fresh water for this.
9. Wash your feet three times up to the ankles, making sure to wipe in between your toes with your little finger. Don’t forget the back of your ankles.
10. Finish your wudu with the du‘a – ‘Ash-hadu an laa ilaaha ill-Allahu wahdaHu laa shareeka laH, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduHu wa RasooluH. Allahumma-j‘alni minat-tawwabeen wa-j‘alni minal-mutatahhireen.’
‘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 servant and Messenger. O Allah! Make me among the repentant and make me among those who purify themselves.’ [Tirmidhi]
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