How to Make Wudu (Ablution) Step by Step According to Islam

Wudu (الوضوء) is the spiritual and physical act of purification in Islam. It is required before performing Salah (prayer), touching the Qur’an, and certain other acts of worship. Wudu is more than just washing the body; it is a way to prepare oneself to stand before Allah ﷻ with humility and cleanliness.

In this article, you’ll learn how to make Wudu step by step, with each action explained in detail along with relevant Qur’anic ayahs, Hadith, Arabic phrases, and a helpful summary table.

📖 What Does the Qur’an Say About Wudu?

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ فَاغْسِلُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى الْمَرَافِقِ وَامْسَحُوا بِرُءُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ
(سورة المائدة، الآية 6)

Translation:
O you who believe! When you rise for prayer, wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, wipe your heads, and wash your feet up to the ankles…
(Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:6)

📜 Importance of Wudu in Hadith

لَا يُقْبَلُ اللَّهُ صَلَاةَ أَحَدِكُمْ إِذَا أَحْدَثَ حَتَّى يَتَوَضَّأَ
(رواه البخاري ومسلم)

Translation:
Allah does not accept the prayer of any one of you if he breaks Wudu, until he performs ablution again.
(Sahih Bukhari & Muslim)

✅ How to Make Wudu – Step by Step in Content Form

1. Make the Intention (Niyyah)

Wudu starts with niyyah, or the inner intention to purify oneself for Allah’s sake. You don’t need to say it out loud; it should be in your heart.

2. Say “Bismillah”

Before starting, say:
بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ (Bismillah) — “In the name of Allah”

3. Wash Hands (3 times)

Wash both hands up to the wrists, starting with the right hand, then the left. Make sure to clean between the fingers.

4. Rinse the Mouth (3 times)

Take water into the mouth, swish it, and spit it out. This is called madmadah (مضمضة).

5. Rinse the Nose (3 times)

Sniff water gently into the nostrils and blow it out using the left hand. This is called istinshaq (استنشاق).

6. Wash the Face (3 times)

Wash the entire face, from the forehead to the chin and from ear to ear.

7. Wash the Arms (3 times)

Wash the right arm up to and including the elbow, then the left. Begin with the fingertips and ensure the entire arm is wet.

8. Wipe the Head (1 time)

Wet your hands and wipe your head from the front to the back and back to the front in one motion. This is masah (مسح).

9. Wipe the Ears (1 time)

Using the same wet hands, wipe the inside of your ears with your index fingers and the back with your thumbs.

10. Wash the Feet (3 times)

Wash the right foot, including the ankle and between the toes, then the left foot.

📊 Wudu Steps Table

🤲 Supplication After Wudu

After completing Wudu, say this du’a:

أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللّٰهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
ٱللَّهُمَّ ٱجْعَلْنِي مِنَ ٱلتَّوَّابِينَ وَٱجْعَلْنِي مِنَ ٱلْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ

Meaning:
“I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, without partner, and Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. O Allah, make me among those who repent and purify themselves.”

🚫 What Breaks Wudu?

Your Wudu is invalidated by:

• Passing wind or using the toilet

• Deep sleep

• Losing consciousness

• Bleeding heavily

• Touching private parts directly (according to some scholars)

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🌟 Virtues of Wudu

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“When a believer performs Wudu and washes his face, every sin committed with his eyes is washed away…”
(Sahih Muslim)

Wudu also:

• Purifies the soul

• Prepares you mentally for prayer

• Earns immense reward

• Gives light (nūr) to your face on the Day of Judgment

📝 Conclusion

Performing Wudu is necessary for every Muslim who follows the rules of Islam. Prayer is important, but Islam also teaches that it uplifts the heart, brings forgiveness, and draws one closer to Allah. Do it thoughtfully, with reason and in truth — every drop that comes in contact with you is a bequest of mercy.

“الطُّهُورُ شَطْرُ الإِيمَانِ”
“Purification is half of faith.”
(Sahih Muslim)