What are the steps of Wudu?

1. Intention. 2. Say Bismillah. 3. Wash hands 3×. 4. Rinse mouth 3×. 5. Rinse nose 3×. 6. Wash face 3×. 7. Wash right arm to elbow 3×, then left. 8. Wipe head once. 9. Wipe ears. 10. Wash right foot 3×, then left. Recite Shahada upon completion.

Wudu is invalidated by: passing wind, using the toilet, any discharge from private parts, deep sleep (not sitting upright), and loss of consciousness. Also flowing blood or vomiting (according to Hanafi school).

When is Ghusl required?

Ghusl (full ritual bath) is obligatory after: sexual intercourse, ejaculation, completion of menstruation, and post-natal bleeding (Nifas). It is also obligatory upon entering Islam.

🤲 Islamic purification

Wudu & Ghusl

Complete guide to Wudu (minor ablution) and Ghusl (full ritual bath) — the purification required before Salah and other acts of worship.

How to Perform Wudu

Begin by saying: Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

Intention (Niyyah)

Make the intention in your heart to perform Wudu for the sake of Allah.

Wash Hands

Wash both hands up to and including the wrists 3 times. Begin with the right hand. Clean between the fingers.

Rinse Mouth (Madmadah)

Take water in the right hand and rinse the mouth thoroughly, swirling the water 3 times.

Rinse Nose (Istinshaq)

Sniff water into the nostrils with the right hand and blow out with the left, 3 times.

Wash Face

Wash the entire face 3 times — from the hairline to the bottom of the chin, ear to ear.

Wash Arms

Wash the right arm from fingertips to the elbow (inclusive) 3 times, then the left arm.

Wipe Head (Masah al-Ra's)

Wipe the entire head once with wet hands — front to back, then back to front.

Wipe Ears

Insert index fingers into the ear canals and wipe behind the ears with the thumbs, using the remaining moisture from the head wipe.

Wash Feet

Wash the right foot up to and including the ankle 3 times, cleaning between the toes. Then the left foot.

Du'a after Wudu:

Ashhadu an la ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluh.

"I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, alone without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger."

What Breaks (Invalidates) Wudu

Passing wind from the back passage
Using the toilet (urinating, defecating, or any discharge)
Deep sleep (unless seated with hips firmly on the ground)
Loss of consciousness, fainting, or intoxication
Flowing blood (Hanafi school)
Vomiting a mouthful (Hanafi school)

Note: touching the opposite gender does not break Wudu in the Hanafi school but does in the Shafi'i school. Follow your madhab.

Masah on Socks (Wiping over Footwear)

If you put on leather socks (Khuffayn) or thick socks while in a state of Wudu, you may wipe over them instead of washing your feet in subsequent Wudus. This permission lasts:

Resident: 24 hours (1 day)
Traveller: 72 hours (3 days)

Wipe the top of the sock (not the sole) once with wet hands. This is a well-established Sunnah from authentic Hadith.

How to Perform Ghusl (Full Ritual Bath)

Ghusl (غُسْل) is the complete ritual purification of the body required after major impurity (Janabah). It enables you to pray, touch the Quran, enter a mosque, and more.

Intention

Make the intention (Niyyah) in your heart to perform Ghusl to lift major impurity.

Wash Hands

Wash both hands to the wrists 3 times.

Remove Impurity

Wash away any physical impurity from the body.

Perform Wudu

Perform a complete Wudu as described above (some scholars say to delay washing feet until the end of Ghusl).

Pour Water Over Head

Pour water over the head 3 times, ensuring it reaches the roots of all hair (including beard).

Wash Right Side

Pour water over the entire right side of the body 3 times, ensuring all skin is reached.

Wash Left Side

Pour water over the entire left side 3 times. Ensure all areas — including behind the ears, navel, and between toes — are wet.

When Ghusl is Obligatory (Fard)

After sexual intercourse
After ejaculation
After menstruation ends
After post-natal bleeding (Nifas)
Upon entering Islam

When Ghusl is Sunnah

Before Jummah prayer
On Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha
Before entering Ihram for Hajj/Umrah
Before entering Mecca

Wudu & Ghusl FAQ

Does taking a shower count as Ghusl?

Yes, a shower counts as Ghusl if you make the correct intention (Niyyah for Ghusl) beforehand and ensure all parts of the body including hair roots are thoroughly washed with water reaching every area of the skin.

Is Wudu required to touch the Quran?

According to most scholars, Wudu is obligatory before touching the Quran. You may recite from memory without Wudu. However, while in a state of major impurity (Janabah), you must perform Ghusl before reciting or touching the Quran.

Can I use bottled water for Wudu?

Yes, any clean, pure water (Ma Mutlaq) is valid for Wudu — tap water, bottled mineral water, well water, river water, sea water, or rain water. Water that is mixed with something (e.g. juice) or is impure cannot be used.

What if water is unavailable?

If clean water is genuinely unavailable (travelling, illness, etc.), you may perform Tayammum (dry ablution) using clean earth, sand, or dust, striking the hands twice — once for the face, once for the arms to the elbows.

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