Before Salah / Namaz

How to Make Wudu

Wudu is purification before Salah. This guide shows each step through clear images, then explains the Qur’an verse, the dua after Wudu, and the virtues mentioned in authentic hadith.

What is Wudu?

Wudu is washing specific parts of the body before Salah. It prepares a person to stand for prayer in a state of purification.

When is Wudu needed?

Wudu is needed before Salah when a person is not already in a state of Wudu. If Wudu breaks, it must be made again before praying.

Step-by-Step Guide to Perform Wudu

This guide is for both men and women. Follow each step in order to learn how Wudu is performed before Salah.

Step 1

Niyyah (Intention)

Make intention in your heart before beginning Wudu.

Step 2

Say Bismillah

Say Bismillah before starting Wudu.

Step 3

Wash Hands 3 Times

Wash both hands up to the wrists 3 times.

Step 4

Rinse Mouth 3 Times

Rinse the mouth 3 times.

Step 5

Rinse Nose 3 Times

Take water in the right hand, draw it gently up to the nostrils, then expel it. Repeat 3 times.

Step 6

Wash Face 3 Times

Wash the full face 3 times, from the hairline to the chin and from ear to ear.

Step 7

Wash Right Arm 3 Times

Wash the right arm up to the elbow 3 times.

Step 8

Wash Left Arm 3 Times

Wash the left arm up to the elbow 3 times.

Step 9

Wipe Head Once

Wipe the head once with wet hands, from the front of the head to the back.

Step 10

Clean Ears Once

Clean both ears once with wet fingers.

Step 11

Wash Right Foot 3 Times

Wash the right foot up to the ankle 3 times. Run fingers between the toes.

Step 12

Wash Left Foot 3 Times

Wash the left foot up to the ankle 3 times. Run fingers between the toes.

Step 13

Dua After Wudu

Recite the dua after completing Wudu.

What Breaks Wudu?

Wudu must be renewed if any of the following happens.

Using the toilet Passing urine or stool breaks Wudu.
Passing wind Passing wind breaks Wudu, even if there is no sound.
Deep sleep Deep sleep while lying down, reclining, or sleeping in a way where control is lost breaks Wudu.
Losing consciousness Fainting, becoming unconscious, or losing full control of the senses breaks Wudu.
Vomiting a mouthful Vomiting a mouthful breaks Wudu.
Discharge from the private parts Any discharge from the front or back private parts breaks Wudu.

Common Wudu Mistakes

These are simple mistakes many beginners make. Learning them helps make Wudu more careful and complete.

Washing too quickly Do not rush through Wudu so fast that parts are missed.
Missing the elbows or ankles When washing the arms, include the elbows. When washing the feet, include the ankles.
Not washing between fingers and toes properly Let water pass between the fingers and run the fingers between the toes while washing the feet.
Wiping the head with dry hands The head should be wiped with wet hands.
Using too much water Wudu should be done properly, but water should not be wasted.
Doubting unnecessarily after finishing Wudu Do not keep repeating Wudu because of unnecessary doubts. Complete it calmly and move forward.

Wudu in the Qur’an

The Qur’an directly mentions the main parts washed and wiped in Wudu before prayer.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ فَاغْسِلُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى الْمَرَافِقِ وَامْسَحُوا بِرُءُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ

Transliteration:
Ya ayyuhal-ladhina amanu idha qumtum ilaṣ-ṣalati faghsilu wujuhakum wa aydiyakum ilal-marafiqi wamsaḥu biru’usikum wa arjulakum ilal-ka‘bayn.

Meaning: O believers, when you rise for prayer, wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, wipe your heads, and wash your feet up to the ankles.

Qur’an: Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:6

Dua After Wudu

After completing Wudu, recite the dua taught in the Sunnah.

أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ.
اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِي مِنَ التَّوَّابِينَ، وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنَ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ

Transliteration:
Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluh.
Allahumma-j‘alni minat-tawwabina, waj‘alni minal-mutatahhirin.

Meaning: I testify that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah alone, without partner, and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. O Allah, make me among those who repent and make me among those who purify themselves.

Hadith: Sahih Muslim 234a; Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi 55

Virtues of Wudu

Wudu is not only physical washing. It is also a means of purification, reward, and protection.

Sins are washed away with Wudu. When a believer washes the face, hands, and feet in Wudu, sins connected to those body parts are washed away until the person emerges purified. Hadith: Sahih Muslim 244
The gates of Paradise are opened after Wudu and the dua. The Prophet ﷺ taught that whoever completes Wudu well and then says the testimony, the eight gates of Paradise are opened for him. Hadith: Sahih Muslim 234a
Rinsing the nose after sleep has special importance. The Prophet ﷺ said that when a person wakes and makes Wudu, he should rinse the nose by putting water in it and blowing it out three times, because Shaytan stayed in the upper part of the nose during the night. Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 3295
Wudu helps remove the knots of Shaytan after sleep. The Prophet ﷺ said that Shaytan ties three knots at the back of a person’s head while sleeping. When the person wakes and remembers Allah, one knot is undone. When he performs Wudu, the second knot is undone. When he prays, the third knot is undone, and he begins the day active and in good spirits. Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 1142; Sahih Muslim 776
Two rak‘at after Wudu bring great reward. The Prophet ﷺ mentioned that a person who performs Wudu well and then prays two rak‘at with focus may have his past sins forgiven. Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 159