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Wudu, also known as “wudhu” or “ablution,” is a fundamental purification ritual in Islam that Muslims perform before offering prayers, entering mosques, or engaging in acts of worship. The process of doing Wudu involves specific steps and intentions that symbolise spiritual cleanliness and readiness for connection with the Divine.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of how to do Wudu effectively with the intention of helping you attain a state of ritual purity.
Wudu, or ablution, is an essential practice in Islam that involves using clean water to purify oneself before prayer or other acts of worship, such as entering the mosque or reading the Quran.
It's a ritual that symbolises spiritual and physical cleanliness and readiness to connect with Allah. Just as we take a shower to stay physically clean, Wudu helps us stay spiritually clean for our prayers and to feel closer to Allah.
During Wudu, we wash specific parts of our body, including: Hands, Face, Mouth, Nose, Arms, and Feet. As mentioned in the Quran, Surah Al-Ma'idah:
"You who believe, when you are about to pray, wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, wipe your heads, wash your feet up to the ankles and, if required, wash your whole body."
(Surah Al-Ma'idah, verse 6)
This verse highlights the importance of physical cleanliness as a part of preparation for prayer, emphasising the significance of Wudu in Islam.
Doing Wudu is mandatory and a reminder of our faith and the importance of cleanliness, both inside and out. It's a beautiful way to prepare ourselves mentally and spiritually for prayer, showing our dedication and respect to Allah.
Wudu is more than the purification needed for validating Salah. It is an act that can help you become free from the sins you committed with your hands, eyes, and face. Abu Hurairah narrated that:
Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said:
“When a Muslim, or believer, performs Wudu’, washing his face, every evil that he looked at with his eyes leaves with the water – or with the last drop of water, or an expression similar to that – and when he washes his hands, every evil he did with his hands leaves with the water – or with the last drop of water – until he becomes free of sin.”
The steps must be completed in the given order without long pauses in between each step. In one hadith, it was reported that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
“The prayer of a person who does not perform ablution is not valid”, thus making it a necessary act before you begin your prayer.”
Before starting Wudu, it's important to have a sincere intention in your heart. This intention, known as Niyyah in Islam, is the foundation of your spiritual actions.
You should intend to do Wudu solely for the sake of Allah, seeking His pleasure and blessings through this act of purification. There are no words or special statements that need to be said here. Creating the intention is a matter of the heart and mind.
Using clean water is essential for the validity of Wudu, so ensure that the water you use for Wudu is clean and pure. It's recommended to use running water if available. In most cases, clean tap water is sufficient.
As mentioned in The Quran, in Surah Al-Baqarah:
"Truly, Allah loves those who turn to Him constantly and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean."
(Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 222)
This verse underscores the connection between physical and spiritual purity, highlighting the importance of cleanliness in Islam.
Additionally, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated in a famous Hadith:
"Cleanliness is half of faith."
(Sahih Muslim)
This Hadith emphasises that Muslims are encouraged to uphold cleanliness in all aspects of life, including personal hygiene and environmental cleanliness, as it contributes to spiritual purification and draws them closer to Allah.
Before beginning Wudu, recite "Bismillah" (In the Name of Allah) to invoke Allah's blessings and seek His assistance in doing this act of purification. Starting with the name of Allah brings barakah (blessings) to your Wudu and enhances its spiritual significance.
Begin by washing your hands thoroughly three times. Start with the right hand, ensuring to wash from the fingertips to the wrist, including between the fingers and under the nails. Repeat this process for the left hand three times as well.
Take a handful of water and rinse your mouth thoroughly, swishing the water around to cleanse your mouth and teeth. This step ensures that your mouth is clean and free from any remnants of food or drink before proceeding with Wudu.
Take some water in your right hand and sniff it into your nostrils, then gently blow it out. This action cleanses your nasal passages and removes any impurities.
Please note that when we say "sniff," we mean to inhale the water into your nose and then exhale it out, repeating this process three times. Be cautious not to take in too much water to avoid discomfort or injury.
Begin by taking a handful of water and using it to wash your face thoroughly from the hairline to the chin and from ear to ear. Ensure that every part of your face, including the forehead, cheeks, and chin, is thoroughly washed. Repeat this process three times. For men with beards, wet your hands and pass them through your beard as you wash your face.
Starting with the right arm, wash your entire arm up to the elbow, ensuring that water reaches every part, including between the fingers. Make sure that no part is left dry. Afterwards, follow the same process for your left arm and do it three times.
You can notice how this step says to “wipe” your head instead of “wash.” The choice of words here was intentional. Moisten your hands and gently move it from the top of the forehead to the back of the head, and then from the back of the head to the forehead. This is done only once. It's important to note that regardless of your hair type (bald, short, or long hair), the process remains the same.
After washing your face in the previous step, use the same water to clean your ears. Wet your index fingers with the water and gently clean the inside of each ear. Then, use your thumbs to clean the area behind your ears. This is done only once. And it's important to be gentle during this process to avoid hurting yourself.
Just like with our hands, we also wipe our feet three times during Wudu. Start by washing your right foot from the toes up to and including your ankle. Ensure that water reaches every part of the foot, especially between the toes and the back of the ankle. Repeat this process three times for the right foot, and then do the same steps three times for the left foot.
After completing Wudu, recite the Shahada, declaring your faith in the oneness of Allah and the prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him):
"Ash-hadu an la ilaha illal lahu wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluh."
Conclude your Wudu with a supplication (Dua), asking Allah for His blessings, forgiveness, and guidance:
"Allahuma j‘alnee mina tawabeen waj-‘alnee minal mutatahireen."
This supplication translates to “O Allah, make me among those who repent and make me among those who are purified.”
How to Do Wudu without Water
You can perform a dry ablution, called Tayammum. You can perform it by using clean earth or sand when water is not available or advisable. To perform Tayammum, make the intention, strike your hands on a clean, dry surface, wipe your face, then wipe the back of your hands with your palms.
Step-by-step guide to Tayammum
- Wipe the back of your right hand with your left palm, from the wrist to the fingertips.
- Wipe the back of your left hand with your right palm.
6. Repeat if necessary: Some methods suggest a second strike on the surface to repeat the wiping of the hands.
For more details, please read this Tayammum guide!
To perform Wudu with socks, you must meet several conditions, including wearing clean, thick socks that cover the ankles after having already completed a full Wudu. When your Wudu is broken, you can wipe your wet hands over the top of the socks instead of washing your feet.
The wiping should be done from the toes up to the shin, once for each foot.
Clean and thick socks: The socks must be clean and thick enough to cover the feet and ankles.
Worn in a state of purity: You must have performed a full Wudu and washed your feet before putting on the socks.
Minor impurity: Wiping over socks is permissible for minor impurities, not for major ritual impurity (like janabah).
Valid time limit: You can wipe over socks for one day and one night (24 hours) if you are a resident, and three days and three nights (72 hours) if you are travelling. The following was narrated by Ahmad from the hadith of Safwan ibn ‘Assal (RA) in his Musnad.
“The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) commanded us, when we were travelling, not to remove our khufuf for three days and three nights, except in the case of janabah. But we could keep them on and wipe over them in the case of stools, urine and sleeping.”
1. Wet your hands with water.
2. Use your wet fingers to wipe over the top of the sock, starting from the tips of your toes and moving up to the shin.
3. Wipe the right foot with your right hand and the left foot with your left hand.
4. Wiping is done once and should not be repeated.
5. Do not wipe the sole or the bottom of the sock, only the top, as taught by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
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You can perform a dry ablution, called Tayammum. You can perform it by using clean earth or sand when water is not available or advisable. To perform Tayammum, make the intention, strike your hands on a clean, dry surface, wipe your face, then wipe the back of your hands with your palms.
Step-by-step guide to Tayammum
For more details, please read this Tayammum guide!
Muslims are required to do Wudu in various situations to maintain purity and fulfil religious obligations. So, how often should you do Wudu?
• After using the restroom: Whenever you use the bathroom, it's time for Wudu. This helps you feel clean and ready to stand before Allah in prayer with a pure heart and mind.
• After passing gas or breaking wind: If you pass gas, it's a sign to do Wudu again. This is because passing gas breaks your state of purity, and Wudu restores that purity, making you spiritually ready for prayer once more.
• After sleeping: When you wake up from sleep, it's recommended to do Wudu before engaging in any acts of worship or prayer. Sleep is considered a state of minor impurity in Islam, and Wudu cleanses you both physically and spiritually, preparing you for a new day of devotion.
• After touching private parts: If you touch your private parts, doing Wudu is a good practice to maintain spiritual cleanliness. It's about respecting the sanctity of prayer and ensuring you approach it in a state of purity.
• Before each obligatory prayer: Wudu is a prerequisite before performing the five daily prayers in Islam. Before each prayer time, take a moment to do Wudu, refreshing your ablution and enhancing your focus and connection during prayer.
Doing Wudu is an important part of being ready for prayer in Islam. Each step is meaningful, helping us feel clean and ready to connect with Allah. By following the steps in this guide, you can do Wudu the right way.
Remember, Wudu is not just about washing; it's also about getting our hearts and minds ready for prayer. When we do Wudu with a good intention and follow the Prophet Muhammad's teachings, it brings us closer to Allah.
We hope this guide helps you do Wudu with confidence and understanding. May Allah accept our prayers and guide us on the right path. Ameen.
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