How to perform wudu, step by step
Wudu is the purification performed before prayer. Follow the steps in order; for each one you can see whether it is obligatory or recommended in each school.
Optional: choosing your school hides the actions it does not perform and highlights its view. Nothing is imposed.
Step-by-step mode
Step 1 / 11Intention
In your heart, resolve to perform wudu for the sake of Allah. You do not need to say it aloud.
All the steps
To read the whole guide at once. “Follow from here” opens the step-by-step mode at that step.
1.Intention
In your heart, resolve to perform wudu for the sake of Allah. You do not need to say it aloud.
Obligatory · Maliki, Shafi‘i, HanbaliRecommended (sunnah) · Hanafi2.Say “Bismillah”
Begin by saying “Bismillah”.
Required (wajib) · HanbaliRecommended (sunnah) · Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi‘iبِسْمِ اللَّهِ
Bismillah
In the name of Allah.
Schools, details and sources
The hadith requiring it is of disputed authenticity: Imam Ahmad held it obligatory, most scholars recommended.
3.Hands
Wash both hands up to the wrists three times, running water between the fingers.× 3
Recommended (sunnah) · all 4 schoolsSchools, details and sources
4.Mouth
Take water in your right hand, rinse your mouth and spit it out. Three times.× 3
Obligatory · HanbaliRecommended (sunnah) · Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi‘iSchools, details and sources
5.Nose
Draw a little water into the nose, then blow it out. Three times. If you are fasting, do not sniff it in too far.× 3
Obligatory · HanbaliRecommended (sunnah) · Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi‘iSchools, details and sources
6.Face
Wash the whole face three times: from the hairline to the bottom of the chin, and from one ear to the other.× 3
Obligatory · all 4 schoolsSchools, details and sources
Washing each part once is valid; three times is the sunnah.
7.Arms
Wash the right arm from the fingertips up to and including the elbow, three times; then the left arm the same way.× 3
Obligatory · all 4 schoolsSchools, details and sources
8.Head
Wet your hands and pass them over your head from the front to the nape, then bring them back to the front. Once only.
Obligatory · all 4 schoolsSchools, details and sources
The schools differ on how much to wipe: the whole head for the Maliki and Hanbali schools, a quarter for the Hanafi school, any part for the Shafi‘i school. Wiping the whole head, as in the hadith, satisfies every view.
9.Ears
Wipe the inside of the ears with your index fingers and the back with your thumbs. Once.
Obligatory · HanbaliRecommended (sunnah) · Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi‘iSchools, details and sources
For the Hanbali school the ears belong to the head, so wiping them is part of the obligation.
Sources
- an-Nasa’i 102, at-Tirmidhi 36 — authentic
- al-Hajjawi, Zad al-Mustaqni‘ (Hanbali)
10.Feet
Wash the right foot up to and including the ankles, between the toes and over the heels, three times; then the left foot.× 3
Obligatory · all 4 schoolsSchools, details and sources
The Prophet ﷺ warned against leaving the heels dry.
11.Closing supplication
After wudu, say the testimony of faith.
Recommended (sunnah) · all 4 schoolsأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ’abduhu wa rasuluh.
I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.
اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِي مِنَ التَّوَّابِينَ وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنَ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ
Allahumma-j’alni minat-tawwabina waj’alni minal-mutatahhirin.
O Allah, make me among those who repent and among those who purify themselves.
Schools, details and sources
The addition “Allahumma-j‘alni…” comes from a hadith in at-Tirmidhi whose chain is disputed.
Three rules for the whole washing
Keep the order
Face, arms, head, feet: in the order of the verse.
Obligatory · Shafi‘i, HanbaliRecommended (sunnah) · Hanafi, MalikiWithout interruption
Keep going without letting one part dry before washing the next.
Obligatory · Maliki, HanbaliRecommended (sunnah) · Hanafi, Shafi‘iRub while washing
Pass the hand over each part along with the water.
Obligatory · MalikiRecommended (sunnah) · Hanafi, Shafi‘i, Hanbali- order and rubbing in wudu (islamweb, fatwa 158579)
- Ibn ‘Ashir, al-Murshid al-Mu‘in (Maliki)
What breaks wudu
For all schools
Anything leaving the natural passages: urine, stools, wind, pre-seminal fluid (madhy).
Deep sleep and loss of consciousness (dozing briefly while sitting does not).
Where the schools differ
Touching a person of the other sex: breaks wudu for the Shafi‘i school, only under conditions for the Maliki and Hanbali schools, not for the Hanafi school.
Heavy bleeding or vomiting: breaks wudu for the Hanafi and Hanbali schools.
Directly touching one’s private parts: breaks wudu for many scholars, not for others.
Eating camel meat: breaks wudu for the Hanbali school.
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