How to Perform Wudu (Ablution)?

Step#1

Make Niyyah (Intention)

Make intention or niyyah for ablution. It is necessary to make a niyyah for any act that is performed for the sake of Allah. The niyyah for wudu is done by centering yourself, quieting your thoughts and focusing seriously on what you are doing i.e. purifying and cleansing to present before Allah in salat. Saying “Bismillah” is verbally enough.

Step#2

Wash your hands

Use your left hand to wash the right hand three times and vice versa. Make sure to wash every part of hand that is skin between the fingers and all the way up to wrists.

Step#3

Rinse mouth

Use your right hand to cup water into your mouth three times. Swish it around in your cheeks and the back of your throat. Do this thoroughly to get all the remaining food in your mouth out but do not swallow the water on purpose.

Step#4

Clean your nose

Use your right hand to cup water and inhale into your nose and then exhale it. Do this three times.

Step#5

Wash Face

Wash your face three times by spreading your hands from your right ear to the left, and from the edge of the hair to the chin.

Step#6

Wash your arms

Wash your lower arms from wrists to elbows, leaving no part dry. From your wrist to your elbow, wash your right arm with your left hand three times and then wash your left arm with your right hand three times.

Step#7

Perform Masah

Clean your head. Using your wet hands, gently wipe your forehead from the eyebrow to the hairline. Also wipe down your hair.  Wipe your ears inside and out. With the same water, use your finger to clean all the crevices of your ear. Then using your thumbs clean behind your ears from the bottom upward. Also wipe the back of your neck, and your temples.

Step#8

Wash Feet

Wash each of your feet. Start with the right foot. Clean up to the ankles and be sure water goes between the toes.