Key Takeaways
- Wudu is the washing done before prayer, and its core steps are commanded in Quran 5:6: face, forearms to the elbows, wiping the head, and feet to the ankles.
- Uthman ibn Affan's description of the Prophet's wudu in Sahih al-Bukhari adds the practical order and details, such as washing the hands first and repeating washes three times.
- Some details, such as ordering and certain recommended acts, are treated a little differently by different scholars, so your imam is the best person to ask.
- Wudu is broken by certain things, and if you are unsure whether yours is valid, a quick question to a knowledgeable person is better than guessing.
- Learning wudu is best done by watching and practising with a teacher, especially for children and new Muslims.
Wudu begins with the command in Quran 5:6 to wash the face and forearms, wipe the head, and wash the feet. The Prophet Muhammad's own method, described by Uthman ibn Affan in Sahih al-Bukhari, fills in the order and the practical details.
The Source in the Quran
"O you who have believed, when you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles" (Quran 5:6, Sahih International). These four actions are the core of wudu.
How the Prophet Performed It
Humran ibn Aban reported that he saw Uthman ibn Affan perform wudu. He poured water over his hands and washed them three times, rinsed his mouth and nose, washed his face three times, washed his right and then left forearm up to the elbows three times, passed wet hands over his head, and washed his right and then left foot three times. Uthman then said he had seen the Prophet ﷺ perform wudu in this way (Sahih al-Bukhari 159).
The Steps in Order
- Make the intention in your heart to perform wudu, and begin with the name of Allah.
- Wash both hands up to the wrists, three times.
- Rinse the mouth and clean the nose with water, three times each.
- Wash the face, from the hairline to the chin, three times.
- Wash the forearms up to and including the elbows, right first, then left, three times each.
- Wipe the head once with wet hands.
- Wash the feet up to the ankles, right first, then left, three times each.
Where Scholars Differ
Some details, such as whether particular steps are obligatory or recommended, are treated a little differently by different scholars. For anything specific to your own practice, ask your local imam. This guide sticks to the steps most people agree on.
Common Mistakes
- Missing the elbows or the heels.
- Rushing, so parts of the skin stay dry.
- Using far more water than needed. Moderation is a good habit.
Learning It Properly
Wudu is easiest to learn by watching and practising, especially for children and new Muslims. Our Salah course teaches wudu alongside the prayer itself, one to one. A free trial lesson is a simple way to start, and our page for new Muslims is built for those just beginning.