A Comprehensive Guide to Islamic Wudu (Ablution)

Wudu (Ablution)

The Holy Prophet (ﷺ) said, ‘When a person performs Wudu (Ablution)and washes his hands, the sins of his hands are washed away; when he washes his face, the sins of his face are washed away; when he wipes his head, the sins of his head are washed away and when he washes his feet, the sins of his feet are washed away.’” (Musnad Imām Aḥmad, pp. 130, vol. 1, Ḥadīš 415)

How to Make Wudu (ablution), Step by Step

Step 1 – Make your intention to perform wudu (ablution)

The first step is to understand that you are about to begin the process of wudu so that you can perform salah. There are no words or special statements that need to be said here. Creating the intention is a matter of the heart and mind. Make intention as, “I am performing Wuḍū in order to fulfil the commandment of Allah “ﷻ” and to attain purity.

Step 2 – Say Bismillah

Before we begin to our wash ourselves we need to say Bismillah ( بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ) (In the Name of Allah).  as it is also a Sunnah, rather say (بسم الله، الحمد لله) You can say it silently to yourself.

Step 3 – Wash Your Hands Three Times

Wash both hands up to the wrists three times each and afterwards do Khilāl (to intermix fingers of both hands to dampen the gaps) of the fingers (with the tap closed)

Step 4 – Rinse Your Mouth Three Times

Now rinse your mouth three times with handfuls of water (closing the tap each time) using right hand making sure that water reaches all parts of the mouth and gargle as well if you are not in fasting.

Step 5 – Sniff Water Into Your Nostrils Three Times

Now sniff water three times in nose up to soft flesh using three handfuls (now half handful is sufficient) of right hand and if not in fasting, snuffle water up to the inside end of the nose. Now clean the nose by left hand and insert small finger inside holes of the nose.

We used the word “sniff” here to give you an idea of what this means. You will need to snort or inhale the water into your nose and then blow it out, three times. Try not to take in too much water or you may hurt yourself.

Step 6 – Wash Your Face Three Times

Wash the whole face three times such that water must flow on every part from the top of the forehead (the point where the hair naturally begins to grow) to the bottom of the chin and from one earlobe to the other.

If one has beard and he is not in the state of Iḥrām (Special state for Ḥaj / ‘Umraĥ) then do Khilāl (with the tap turned off) of beard by inserting the fingers into the beard from the neck and bringing them out towards the front

Step 7 – Wash Your Arms Three Times

Now wash the right arm from the tips of the fingers up to (and including) the elbow three times and then wash the left arm in the same manner. Make sure that no part is left dry.

Step 8 – Wipe Your Head Once

Did you notice that step 8 says to “wipe” your head instead of “wash.” The choice of words here was intentional.

Now perform moistening of the head. This should be done by joining the tips of the three fingers, other than the index fingers and thumbs, of both hands and placing them on the top of forehead. Move back.
These fingers from forehead to the back of the neck without letting the palms touch the head

Step 9 – Clean Your Ears Once

This step should be performed with the same water from step 8. Using your wet hands you will use your index fingers to clean the inside of your ears and your thumb to clean the area behind your ears.

This is done only once.

Step 10 – Wash Your Feet Three Times

Now wash both feet three times, first the right and then the left, beginning from the toes up to the top of the ankles. It is Mustaḥab to wash up to halfway up the shin. To do Khilal between the fingers of both feet is Sunnah.

Step 11 – Recite the Shahada and the Dua

Ḥujja-tul-Islām Imām Muḥammad Ghazālī says, “While washing each organ, one should hope that the sins of that organ are being washed away.” (Iḥyā-ul-‘Ulūm, pp. 183, vol. 1)

When the Prophet (peace be upon him) would complete his wudu he would say the shahada:

“Ash-hadu an la ilaha  illal lahu wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluh.”

This means “I testify that there is no god but Allah, and I also testify that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.”

After this statement he would make the following dua:

“Allahuma j‘alnee mina tawabeen waj-‘alnee minal mutatahireen”

Which means “O Allah, make me among those who seek repentance and make me among those who purify themselves.”

At this point your wudu is complete and you can begin to pray.

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Benefits of Keeping Wudu (ablution)

1. Angels will be enthusiastic to avail his company.

2. The holy pen will keep on writing good deeds for him.

3. His organs will perform Tasbīḥ of Allah “ﷻ”

4. He will never miss his Takbīr-e-Taḥrīmaĥ (first Takbīr of Ṣalāĥ). 

5. When he sleeps, Allah “ﷻ”  sends Angels who will protect him from the evils of jinns and human beings.

6. He will feel easiness in severe fits of death.

7. He will remain in the safeguard of Allah “ﷻ” as long as he is in the state of Wudu (ablution) .” (ibid, pp. 702, 703)

Eyesight Never Goes Weak

If a person looks up to the sky after Wudu (ablution)  and reads Sūra-e-Qadr, ان شاءاللہ his eyesight will never become weak. (Masāail-ul-Qurān, pp. 291)

The Excellence of Reciting Sūra-e-Qadr after Wudu (ablution)

One sacred Ḥadīš (Hadith) mentions, “If a person reads Sūra-e-Qadr once after
Wudu (ablution), he will be amongst the Ṣiddiqin and if he reads it twice he will
be amongst the Shuhada and if he reads it three times, Allah “ﷻ” will keep him with His prophets on the Day of Judgement.” (Kanz-ul- ’Ummāl, pp. 132, vol. 9, Ḥadīš 26085, Al-Ḥavī-lil-Fatāwa-lis-Suyūṭī, pp. 402, 403, vol. 1)

All Eight Portals of Heaven get Open

One Ḥadīš (Hadith) mentions, “If a person does Wudu (ablution) properly and reads kalima e shahadat, all 8 portals of Heaven are opened for him and he may enter through any one he desires.” (Sunan Dārimī, pp. 196, vol. 1, Ḥadīš 716)