How do I make wudu?
Wudu is the washing you do before prayer. You make the intention, say Bismillah, then wash your hands, mouth, nose, face and arms, wipe your head and ears, and wash your feet. Most parts are washed three times, starting with the right side.
By Benjamin · Last updated
Step by step
- Intention. Intend in your heart that you are purifying yourself for prayer. Nothing needs to be said out loud.
- Say Bismillah. Say "Bismillah" (In the name of Allah). This is sunnah.
- Wash your hands, three times. Up to the wrists, right hand first, with water reaching between the fingers. Remove rings if water cannot reach under them.
- Rinse your mouth, three times. Take water into your mouth with your right hand, swirl it, and spit it out.
- Clean your nose, three times. Sniff water gently into your nose with your right hand and blow it out with your left.
- Wash your face, three times. From the hairline to the chin and from ear to ear.
- Wash your arms, three times. Right arm from the fingertips to and including the elbow, then the left.
- Wipe your head, once. With wet hands, wipe from the forehead to the back of the head and back to the front. This is wiping, not washing.
- Wipe your ears, once. With the same wetness: index fingers inside the ears, thumbs behind them.
- Wash your feet, three times. Right foot first, up to and including the ankles, between the toes and the back of the heels.
After wudu
It is sunnah to say this dua when you finish:
The dua after wudu
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
Ashhadu an la ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lahu, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluhu
I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, with no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger
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Common questions
How long does wudu last?
Until something breaks it. You can pray several prayers with one wudu.
Do I say the intention out loud?
No. The intention is in the heart. Allah knows what you intend.
Does nail polish affect wudu?
Regular nail polish stops water from reaching the nail, so remove it before wudu. Henna stains rather than coats, so it does not block water.
Practise it with audio
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