TL;DR
- Wudu (ablution) is the ritual of cleansing oneself through water for prayers, reading the Quran, etc.
- It is a non-gendered act and follows the same steps for both men and women. However, since women use different accessories for adornment, they should take them off before wudu to be on the safe side.
- There are three things one should pay attention to that ensure wudu is valid: one is not in a state of impurity that requires ghusl. There is nothing on the skin that prevents the water from reaching it. The water for wudu is pure.
- The following are the wudu steps: Start by making an intention and saying, Bismillah. Wash hands to wrists x3. Rinse mouth thoroughly. x3. Clean nose x3. Wash the whole face from hairline to jawbone x3. Wash arms to elbows x3. Wipe head and do masah x1. Wipe the ears x1. Wash feet up to the ankles x3 (The steps do differ based on the fiqh one is following; therefore, it is important to ask a verified scholar beforehand.)
- The dua after wudu is Ashhadu an la ilaha ill-Allah wahdahu la sharika lah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluhu.
- Wiping Over Socks (Masah Alal Khuffayn) is something the schools differ about. All four schools agree that if the socks are thin and don’t prevent water from reaching the feet, it would not be permissible to wipe over them. (see below for more information.)
- Tayammum is dry ablution and can be performed when water isn’t available or if using it would cause harm. Tayyamum is performed using earth or something like a stone or rock.
Na’um Al-Mujmir narrated, Abu Huraira RA heard the Prophet PBUH saying, “On the Day of Qayamah, my ummah will have the title of Al-Ghurr-ul-Muhajjalin from the trace of wudu. Whoever can increase the area of their radiance, should do so by performing wudu regularly.”
Purification is woven into the very fabric of Islam. Muslims are commanded to maintain cleanliness throughout their lives, and they are rewarded for it by their Lord. One of the ways Muslims achieve purity is by performing wudu multiple times a day.
Wudu is the ritual of purifying oneself before prayer. It is considered a form of worship and is a requirement before Salāh. Not only does it prepare one mentally for Salat, but it also washes away sins. This blog is going to be a complete guide to how to perform wudu, the conditions required for wudu to be valid, and the different steps involved.
Before You Begin: 3 Conditions for Valid Wudu
Just like any other religious practice, wudu has certain conditions that must be met for it to be valid.
Being In A State Of Ritual Impurity
Ritual impurities are also known as “major impurities” and refer to anything that requires a Muslim to do ghusl (full ablution). Instances in which one is menstruating or in a state of janabah are all examples that require ghusl. If a person is in a state of major impurity, wudu will not be valid, and they have to perform ghusl first.
Pure Water
The water used for wudu must be pure (tahir). Which means that it needs to meet all the conditions mentioned in the scriptures. Impure water can’t be used for wudu, and if one does wudu with it, the ablution will be considered invalid.
Water Not Reaching Every Part Of The Body
For wudu to be valid, the water must reach all body parts included in the ritual. If there is something on the skin that prevents water from reaching it, such as nail polish, jewelry, or makeup, one must remove it for one’s wudu to be valid. Even if one has nothing on their body, they should still be attentive and ensure the water touches every part of the body.
How To Perform Wudu Step By Step (With Fard & Sunnah Labels)
Step 1: Intention (Niyyah) + Bismillah [SUNNAH]
Make an intention to lift the ritual impurity. This doesn’t need to be out loud; making an intention only in the heart is enough. After that, say Bismillah. If one is performing wudu in an impure place, such as a bathroom, “Bismillah” should be said silently. If the place is pure, such as a wudu station, saying it aloud is permissible.
The scholars differ on whether one can say “Bismillah” when using a toilet. However, to remain on the safe side, it is better to say it in the heart when doing wudu in an impure place.
Step 2: Wash Hands to Wrists ×3 [SUNNAH]
One should wash both hands up to the wrists. Begin by washing the left hand with the right hand, then repeat on the other hand. Also, wash between the fingers.
Step 3: Rinse Mouth ×3 [SUNNAH / Fard in Hanbali]
Rinse the mouth three times, swirling water around it to remove any food stuck between the teeth.
Step 4: Clean Nose ×3 [SUNNAH / Fard in Hanbali]
Rinse the nose 3 times, and on the last rinse, use the left hand’s fingers to remove excess water and clean the inside of the nose.
Step 5: Wash Face ×3 [FARD]
Wash the face three times, from the hairline to the jawbone and chin, and from ear to ear, making sure every part is thoroughly wet. A man should wash his beard, as it is a part of his face. The beard should be thoroughly cleaned by wetting the fingers and running them through the beard.
Step 6: Wash Arms to Elbows ×3 [FARD]
Washing the arms up to the elbows three times. This step includes the area from the fingernails up to just above the elbow. Start with the right hand and finish with the left.
Step 7: Wipe Head (Masah) ×1 [FARD]
Masah is known as the process of cleaning one’s head with small amounts of water. Wet the hands thoroughly, then wipe them through the hair (starting from the hairline) to the nape, and then from the nape to the hairline.
Step 8: Wipe Ears ×1 [SUNNAH]
Put the index fingers in the ears and wipe the back of the ears with the thumbs. This step is to be done with the masah, without wetting the hands in between.
Step 9: Wash Feet to Ankles ×3 [FARD]
Wash both feet up to the ankles three times. Properly rubbing every part to wet it, and going between each toe to clean it properly. Start on the right foot and finish with the left.
Dua After Wudu (Arabic + Transliteration + Translation)
Narrated ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him): The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever performs ablution completely and then recites the following supplication, all eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him, and he may enter through any gate he chooses.”
Transliteration:
Ashhadu an la ilaha ill-Allah wahdahu la sharika lah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluhu.
Translation:
I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, who is alone and has no partners, and Muhammad (peace be upon him) is His servant and Messenger.
Common Mistakes That Invalidate Wudu
- Missing a part of the body that is included in the fard (obligations) of wudu.
- Not removing accessories or products that prevent the water from reaching the skin.
- Doing wudu from impure water.
- Not properly removing impurities from the body, such as blood, urine, or sexual fluid.
Wudu for Women: Special Considerations
Wudu is not a gendered worship and hence is the same for both men and women. Although there are certain things that women should pay attention to before starting wudu.
- If they have any jewelry or other accessories that could prevent water from reaching their skin, it is best to remove them before ablution.
- Any kind of waterproof makeup should also be removed. To be on the safe side, one should remove any makeup before wudu, whether it is waterproof or not, since the fat in certain makeup products can form an impenetrable layer on the skin.
- Any kind of waterproof henna or henna stickers also invalidates wudu because they prevent the water from reaching the skin.
- The same applies to nail polish or artificial nails (acrylics or gel). One should remove both before starting wudu.
Wiping Over Socks (Masah Alal Khuffayn)
Khuffs, or Khuffayn, are leather socks. They were a staple in clothing during the time of the Prophet PBUH. Since they are worn regularly, they are also included in the rulings on how to perform wudu, making it easier for Muslims.
Al-Mughira bin Shu’ba RA narrates, “I helped the Prophet PBUH in doing wudu, and he passed his wet hands over his khuffs and then prayed.”
All four schools of thought agree that it is permissible to perform masah on these kinds of socks. Although if they are made of a different material, such as cotton or nylon, which are more common today, the rulings are different. There are certain conditions that, if met, make it permissible for a person to wipe over their socks.
Hanafi
- A person can walk three miles wearing only these socks without them tearing.
- The sock is so thick that it prevents the water from touching the feet.
- They are not see-through.
- The socks stay up on their own.
Maliki
- The socks, whether made of cotton or cloth, must be lined with leather on both the inside and outside to resemble the khuffs.
- A person may be able to walk upon these socks.
Shafi
- The socks must be thick and heavy, whether made of cotton or cloth. They shouldn’t be transparent.
- Nothing (like water) can penetrate it.
- One can continuously walk upon them.
- The soles of the socks are made of leather.
Hanbali
- The socks must be thick so that no part of one’s foot becomes visible.
- The sock must grip the feet firmly.
- A person can continuously walk in these socks.
All four schools agree that if the socks are thin and don’t prevent water from reaching the feet, it would not be permissible to wipe them.
Tayammum: When You Can’t Use Water
Tayyamum is a kind of dry ablution performed with the earth or the top surface of the earth, like a stone, when water isn’t available, or if one could be harmed or get ill by using water.
The Material
Tayyamum is done with any substance of the earth:
- That doesn’t burn to form ashes. Because if it burns to ash, that means there is plant life on it.
- That isn’t malleable. Meaning it is free of any metals.
The most commonly used things for tayyammum are either rocks or stones. One can find these very easily, and if they meet the conditions above, one can perform tayammum with them in place of ablution.
The Proper Method
Ammar RA narrated, “The Prophet PBUH stroked the earth with his hands and then passed them over his face and the backside of his hands (when showing how to do tayyamum).”
The following are the steps one should follow when performing tayyamum:
- Make an intention to lift the state of ritual impurity.
- Say the Bismillah.
- Strike the earth or anything else that one is using.
- Wipe the face entirely.
- Strike the earth or whatever one is using a second time.
- Pass your left hand over your right arm up to the elbow, just like one would during wudu.
- Repeat on the left hand.
Differences Between Madhabs (Hanafi, Shafi’i, Maliki, Hanbali)
There are four schools of thought, and each one of them has a slightly different way of performing ablution. These differences arise from the observation of the founders of these schools. That being said, all four of these ways are correct, and no matter what school one follows, the way of doing wudu is acceptable under the Shariah. Below are some of the key differences.
Hanafi
Includes an extra step of wiping the neck with the back of the hands. The scholars of the Hanafi fiqh have regarded this as a commendable act of wudu (not a sunnah). This is done immediately after wiping the ears without wetting the hands in between. One should start at the nape and wipe towards the front with their fingers close together.
Shafi
Unlike other schools, the Shafi school recommends wiping the head three times, wetting the hands each time.
Maliki
One of the farḍ acts of wudu in the Maliki school includes wiping the whole head completely, whereas other schools only specify a certain portion of the head.
Hanbali
The Hanbali madhhab is the most liberal regarding wiping over things. For example, it allows one to wipe over a turban and the hijab if certain conditions are met.
Conclusion
Wudu is an act of worship that brings one closer to Allah and mentally prepares one for one of the biggest duties of one’s life: performing salah. It is an act rooted in devotion, humility, and submission to the Most High. The Prophet PBUH stated that it is a means of expiating many sins. He even said that whatever body part one washes in wudu, Allah forgives the sins committed with it. Therefore, Muslims should make it a priority to perform this act of worship with as much attention as possible to ensure they are rewarded for it and that it is pleasing to Allah SWT.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start by making an intention and saying Bismillah.
Wash hands to wrists x3
Rinse mouth thoroughly x3
Clean nose x3
Wash the whole face from hairline to jawbone x3
Wash arms to elbows x3
Wipe head and do masah x1
Wipe the ears x1
Wash feet up to ankles x3
Wudu steps for both men and women are the same. Wudu is not a gendered practice and is thus similar for both genders. However, since women do use different adornments, such as jewelry and makeup, it is important to ensure they are removed before ablution, since they can prevent the water from reaching the skin.
According to the Hanafi school of thought, if a man kisses his wife and mazi (fluid that is discharged due to sexual arousal) is discharged, the wudu is broken. If nothing is discharged, the wudu is valid, and one may continue to pray with it.
Bleeding breaking wudu is based on which fiqh (school of thought) a Muslim follows. For example, in the Hanafi school, if the blood flows past the wound, the wudu is broken. However, in the Maliki school, bleeding doesn’t break wudu. To get the most correct answer, it is preferred to ask a scholar of one’s fiqh.
Yes, one can perform wudu with socks on, provided they are khuff (leather socks). There is no difference of opinion among the fiqhs due to the explicit permission given in the hadith. However, if they are cotton or nylon socks, the rulings differ.
No. A Muslim doesn’t have to do wudu before every prayer. Although it is encouraged because there is a great deal of reward, if the ablution is valid (meaning nothing has happened that may break the wudu), then one can pray multiple prayers with it.
What breaks wudu are acts categorized as minor impurities. Acts such as urinating or defecating, passing wind, bleeding, excretion of mazi (fluid that emits due to sexual arousal), vomiting a mouthful, sleeping, etc., are all acts that necessitate the renewal of ablution.
No. Nail polish should be removed before performing wudu because it prevents water from reaching the nail and the surrounding skin.
Make an intention to lift the state of ritual impurity. Say the Bismillah. Strike the earth or anything else that one is using. Wipe the face entirely. Strike the earth or whatever is being used a second time. Pass your left hand over your right arm up to the elbow, just like one would during wudu. Repeat on the left hand.
Ashhadu an la ilaha ill-Allah wahdahu la sharika lah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluhu. (I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, who is alone and has no partners, and Muhammad PBUH is His servant and Messenger.)