Wudu and the prayer, step by step — what to do and what to recite, with references.
إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَابًا مَوْقُوتًا
Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers at fixed times. (an-Nisa 4:103)
Hanafi-leaning defaults are used, with the differences of the four schools flagged in each step. For specific masail (e.g. your own situation), consult a qualified scholar.
1. Wudu2. The Prayer3. Janazah4. Witr5. Jumu'ah6. Eid7. Tarawih8. Sujud as-Sahw9. Travel — Qasr & Jam'
Start here: wuḍūʾ comes before the prayer.
The ablution (wudu) is a condition of prayer — be in a state of purity, facing the qibla, after the prayer time has entered.
1
Intention (Niyyah) Make the intention in your heart to perform wudu for the sake of Allah. The intention is internal — saying it aloud is permissible but not required. Without intention, wudu is merely physical washing with no spiritual reward.
Quran 98:5
2
Bismillah Say "Bismillah" before beginning. The Prophet ﷺ said: "There is no wudu for one who does not mention Allah's name over it." This is obligatory according to the Hanbali school and strongly recommended (sunnah mu'akkadah) in others.
Abu Dawud 101 — Hasan
3
Wash Both Hands (3×) Wash both hands up to and including the wrists three times, starting with the right hand. Interlace fingers to ensure water reaches between them. This removes any impurities before touching the face.
Muslim 226
4
Rinse Mouth — Madmadah (3×) Take water in the right hand and rinse the mouth thoroughly three times, swirling water to all parts. Using a siwak (miswak) or toothbrush before this is a confirmed Sunnah that earns extra reward.
Bukhari 162
5
Sniff Water — Istinshaq (3×) Sniff water gently into the nostrils with the right hand three times, then blow it out with the left. When not fasting, sniff deeply (mubalaghah). This cleanses the nasal passage.
Bukhari 162
6
Wash Face (3×) Wash the entire face three times — from the hairline to the chin and from ear to ear. Ensure water reaches under the eyebrows, around the eyes, and along the hairline. Men with beards: run wet fingers through a thick beard (khilal al-lihyah).
Quran 5:6
7
Wash Right Arm to Elbow (3×) Wash the right arm including the elbow three times. Rub thoroughly ensuring no patch remains dry. The elbow itself must be washed — not merely dampened.
Quran 5:6
8
Wash Left Arm to Elbow (3×) Wash the left arm including the elbow three times in the same manner as the right.
Quran 5:6
9
Wipe the Head — Masah (1×) Wet both hands and wipe the entire head once — from the front hairline to the nape of the neck, then back to the front. This is masah (wiping), not washing; use only the moisture on your hands.
Quran 5:6
10
Wipe the Ears (1×) With the same water remaining on the hands: insert index fingers into the ear canals and wipe the outer ears with the thumbs simultaneously. Do this once. The ears are part of the head.
Abu Dawud 107 — Sahih
11
Wash Right Foot to Ankle (3×) Wash the right foot including the ankle three times. Use the little finger of the left hand to clean between the toes, starting from the little toe of the right foot and ending at the little toe of the left.
Muslim 240
12
Wash Left Foot to Ankle (3×) Wash the left foot including the ankle three times in the same manner.
Muslim 240
13
Shahada After Wudu Raise the index finger and recite the dua below. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever performs wudu well then says this, the eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him to enter from whichever he wishes."
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
Ash-hadu an laa ilaaha illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lah, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluh.
Muslim 234 — Sahih
14
Two Rak'ahs — Sunnah of Wudu The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever performs wudu as I have performed it, then prays two rak'ahs without letting his mind wander, his previous sins will be forgiven." This applies to any two-rak'ah voluntary prayer.
Bukhari 159 — Sahih
Wudu Nullifiers Actions that invalidate wudu and require a new ablution before prayer.
1 Anything that exits from the two passages (urine, stool, wind)
▾ 2 Deep sleep where one loses awareness
▾ 3 Loss of consciousness or insanity
▾ 4 Sexual discharge (mani or madhi)
▾ 5 Touching private parts directly (majority view)
▾ 6 Eating camel meat (Hanbali school)
▾ Hadith on this part Ablution 4 Method of Ablution 11 Pillars of Ablution 2 Recommended Acts and Manners of Ablution 12 Nullifiers of Ablution 8 Excellence of Ablution 7 Topics are published hadith chapters, linked here only where their title names this subject. Text and gradings are reproduced verbatim, each grade credited to its grader; a narration filed under two topics appears in both.
Next: The Prayer Take the Namaz course — track your progress May Allah accept your prayers and make them a means of nearness to Him.
