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Wudu (ablution)

Source: Quran 5:6 · Sahih al-Bukhari 159

Wudu is required before prayer. Follow the steps in order, washing the right side before the left.

  1. Step 1

    Intention

    Intend in your heart to perform wudu for the sake of Allah. It is not said aloud.

    Where the schools differ: Hanafi: intention is sunnah for wudu. Shafiʿi, Maliki, Hanbali: it is required.

  2. Step 2

    Say Bismillah

    Begin by saying "Bismillah".

    Say

    بِسْمِ اللَّهِ

    Bismillāh

    Where the schools differ: Hanbali: required when remembered. Others: sunnah.

    Source: Sunan Abi Dawud 101
  3. Step 3

    Wash the hands×3

    Wash both hands up to the wrists three times, between the fingers too.

    Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 159
  4. Step 4

    Rinse the mouth×3

    Take water into the mouth with the right hand, swirl and spit it out — three times.

    Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 159
  5. Step 5

    Rinse the nose×3

    Sniff water into the nose with the right hand and blow it out with the left — three times.

    Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 159
  6. Step 6

    Wash the face×3

    Wash the whole face from the hairline to the chin and from ear to ear — three times.

    Source: Quran 5:6
  7. Step 7

    Wash the arms×3

    Wash the right arm up to and including the elbow, then the left — three times each.

    Source: Quran 5:6
  8. Step 8

    Wipe the head

    With wet hands, wipe over the head from front to back and back again — once.

    Where the schools differ: Hanafi: at least a quarter of the head is required. Shafiʿi: any part. Maliki and Hanbali: the whole head.

    Source: Quran 5:6
  9. Step 9

    Wipe the ears

    Wipe inside the ears with the index fingers and behind them with the thumbs.

  10. Step 10

    Wash the feet×3

    Wash the right foot up to and including the ankle, then the left — three times each, between the toes too.

    Source: Quran 5:6
  11. Step 11

    The testimony after wudu

    Finish by bearing witness to the oneness of Allah and the messengership of Muhammad ﷺ.

    Say

    أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ

    Ashhadu an lā ilāha illallāhu waḥdahu lā sharīka lah, wa ashhadu anna Muḥammadan ʿabduhu wa rasūluh

    Source: Sahih Muslim 234

What breaks wudu

  • Anything leaving the front or back private parts (urine, stool, etc.)
  • Passing wind
  • Deep sleep, lying down or leaning so that you lose awareness
  • Losing consciousness (fainting, intoxication)
  • Touching the private parts directly with the handBreaks wudu for Shafiʿi, Maliki and Hanbali; not for Hanafi.
  • Flowing blood or vomiting a mouthfulBreaks wudu for Hanafi; not for Shafiʿi and Maliki; Hanbali — if a large amount.
  • Eating camel meatBreaks wudu for Hanbali; not for the other schools.
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 135 · Quran 5:6

Prepared from authentic sources; pending scholar review.