How to Perform Wudu Step by Step: A Simple Guide with the Dua

Wudu (ablution) is the washing a Muslim performs before prayer, before touching the Mushaf and before other acts of worship. It purifies the body and prepares the heart to stand before Allah. The Prophet ﷺ said that prayer is not accepted without purification (Sahih Muslim), which is why wudu is one of the very first things every Muslim learns.

This guide walks through each step in order, explains which parts are obligatory and which are Sunnah, and covers what breaks wudu.

Before you begin

• Use clean water.
• Remove anything that stops water reaching the skin, such as nail polish or thick paint.
• Go to the toilet first if you need to.
• Try not to waste water. The Prophet ﷺ performed wudu with a very small amount.

How to perform wudu: step by step

1. Make the intention (niyyah). Intend in your heart that you are performing wudu for the sake of Allah. It does not need to be said out loud.
2. Say Bismillah. Begin with "In the name of Allah".
3. Wash your hands three times up to the wrists, making sure water passes between the fingers.
4. Rinse your mouth three times. Take water into the mouth, swirl it and spit it out.
5. Clean your nose three times. Gently sniff water into the nose with the right hand and blow it out with the left.
6. Wash your face three times, from the hairline to the chin and from ear to ear. Men with a beard run wet fingers through it.
7. Wash your arms three times, from the fingertips up to and including the elbows. Start with the right arm, then the left.
8. Wipe your head once. With wet hands, wipe from the front of the head to the back and return to the front.
9. Wipe your ears. Use the index fingers inside the ears and the thumbs behind them.
10. Wash your feet three times up to and including the ankles, right foot first, making sure water reaches between the toes and the heels.

The dua after wudu

Dua: Ashhadu an lā ilāha illallāhu waḥdahū lā sharīka lah, wa ashhadu anna Muḥammadan ʿabduhū wa rasūluh.

Meaning: I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, alone, without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.

The Prophet ﷺ said that whoever performs wudu well and then says this, the eight gates of Paradise are opened for them, to enter by whichever they wish (Sahih Muslim).

Which parts are obligatory?

The Quran (Surah Al-Ma'idah, 5:6) names four acts that every valid wudu must include:

• Washing the face.
• Washing the arms up to the elbows.
• Wiping the head.
• Washing the feet up to the ankles.

Washing each part once is enough for wudu to be valid; washing three times is the Sunnah. The schools of Islamic law add a few further details, such as the intention, keeping the order and not leaving long gaps between steps, so learn the details of the school you follow from a teacher.

What breaks wudu?

Scholars agree that wudu is broken by:

• Using the toilet (passing urine or stool).
• Passing wind.
• Deep sleep, especially lying down.
• Losing consciousness, for example by fainting.

There are some other matters, such as bleeding or touching certain things, on which the schools differ. If you are unsure, ask a qualified teacher which view your school follows.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Leaving dry spots. The heels, elbows and the area just below the hairline are often missed.
• Rushing. Wudu done in a hurry often misses parts. Take your time.
• Forgetting the order. Follow the sequence above, as the Prophet ﷺ did.
• Wasting water. Leaving the tap running at full flow is not the Sunnah way.
• Doubting constantly. If you are sure you made wudu and only doubt whether it broke, your wudu remains valid.

Teaching wudu to children

Children learn wudu best by watching and copying. Perform it together slowly, name each step out loud and keep a simple picture chart by the sink. Once wudu is confident, they are ready for the next step in our guide on how to teach your child to pray.

Learn wudu and salah with a tutor

Wudu is the first lesson in our Prayer Lessons course, where a tutor guides you through each step, then teaches the positions and recitations of salah with their meanings. It is ideal for children, adults and new Muslims, and the first two classes are free.