Wudu (ablution) is the ritual purification obligatory before offering Salah, touching the Mushaf of the Holy Quran, or performing Tawaf. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ declared: "Purity is half of faith" (Sahih Muslim 223).
The 4 Obligatory Acts of Wudu (Faraid)
Stated explicitly in Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:6):
- Washing the Entire Face: From the normal hairline down to the bottom of the chin, and from earlobe to earlobe.
- Washing Both Arms Including the Elbows: From fingertip tips up to and including both elbows.
- Wiping the Head (Masah): Passing wet hands over the head (at least one-fourth according to Hanafis; the whole head according to Malikis and Hanbalis).
- Washing Both Feet Including the Ankles: Ensuring water reaches between the toes and around the ankles.
The Complete Sunnah Method of Wudu
Following the authentic practice of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (Sahih al-Bukhari 159, Sahih Muslim 226):
- 1. Make intention (Niyyah) in the heart and begin by saying "Bismillah".
- 2. Wash both hands up to the wrists three times, interlacing fingers.
- 3. Rinse the mouth (Madmadah) thoroughly three times.
- 4. Sniff water into nostrils (Istinshaq) and blow it out with left hand (Istinthar) three times.
- 5. Wash the entire face three times, running wet fingers through the beard if thick.
- 6. Wash right arm up to and including elbow three times, then repeat for left arm.
- 7. Wipe the head with wet hands from front to back, and wipe inner and outer ears once.
- 8. Wash right foot up to ankle three times, ensuring between toes is washed, then repeat for left foot.
Authentic Post-Wudu Supplication
The Prophet ﷺ stated that whoever performs Wudu properly and then recites the following, all eight gates of Paradise are opened for them (Sahih Muslim 234):
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ، اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِي مِنَ التَّوَّابِينَ، وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنَ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ
"Ashhadu alla ilaha illallah wahdahu la shareeka lah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluh. Allahumma-j'alni minat-tawwabeen waj'alni minal-mutatahhireen."
Common Nullifiers of Wudu (Nawaqid)
Wudu is broken by anything exiting the two private passages (urine, stool, gas), deep sleep lying down, loss of consciousness/fainting, or direct passionate touching of private parts without a barrier.