Mastering Wudu: A Complete Guide with Quranic Insights, Sunnah Steps of our Prophet Muhammed ﷺ , Common Mistakes, and FAQs.

What is Wudu?

Wudu (وضوء) is the Islamic procedure for ritual purification performed before certain acts of worship like : Before the act of five daily prayers(salah), before touching the quran and reading the Quran by holding in your hands. etc ..

Wudu Reference in Quran:

The reference of wudu (ablution) in the Qur’an is found in:

” O believers! When you rise up for prayer, wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, wipe your heads, and wash your feet to the ankles. And if you are in a state of ˹full˺ impurity, then take a full bath. But if you are ill, on a journey, or have relieved yourselves, or have been intimate with your wives and cannot find water, then purify yourselves with clean earth by wiping your faces and hands. It is not Allah’s Will to burden you, but to purify you and complete His favour upon you, so perhaps you will be grateful. “

-Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:6) :

Wudu (Ablution) Step-by-Step: Following the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

🕌Intension (niyyah) :

– Begin with the intention in your heart to perform Wudu for the purpose of purification.

🥀Example: say it like this ” O’Allah I am performing wudu to pray fajr prayer(salah)” etc..
You don’t have to say it out loud, Just feel it in your heart ‘ that I making wudu’—just be coqnscious of it.

👐 Step 1: Say “Bismillah” (In the name of Allah) :

-Say “Bismillah” before starting Wudu (ablution) it’s sunnah of our beloved prophet.

In case your making Wudu in bathroom with attached toilet:

If your making wudu in bathroom with attached to toilet, you have to not to say Bismillah loudly. Say it in your heart without moving the tongue.

💧Step 2: Wash Hands:

Wash your both hands to the wrists three times.
Start with washing the right hand first then left.
don’t forget to wash in between the fingers.
Remember do not use anything on your hands and fingers which protects water from wetting your skin.

😃 Step 3: Rinse the Mouth :

Take water into your mouth with your right hand.
Swirl it around the mouth.
And, Spit it out.
Do this three times.

👃 Step 4: Clean the Nose :

Inhale water into the nostril gently with your right hand.
Then blow it out using the left hand.
Do this three times.

Step 5: Wash the Face :

Wash the entire face from forehead to chin and ear to ear.
make sure you wash the face from the hairs of forehead to chin gently and from the left ear to the right ear properly.
Remember the whole face was wet and clean.

🤲 Step 6: Wash the Arms :

Wash your right arm from the fingertips to the elbows three times, then do the same with the left arm.
Make sure that the both hands washed properly from the fingertips to elbows.
Remember do not use anything on your hands and fingers which protects water from wetting your skin.
– Example : Nail polish💅, etc..

👤Step 7: Wipe the Head (Masah) :

Wet your hands, then wipe over your head once, from the front to the back and back to the front.
Then wipe your ears with the same wet hands — inside with index fingers, outside with thumbs.

👣 Step 8: Wash the Feet :

Wash your right Foot.
do not forget to wash between the toes.
Wash up to the foot eye and including the ankles three times.
Then do the same with the left foot.

📿 Step 9: Recite the Dua after Wudu :

After completing Wudu, say:

“Ashhadu an la ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lahu, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluh.”

– (I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, He has no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.

🚫 Common Mistakes During Wudu and How to Avoid Them :

1. ❌ Skipping “Bismillah” :

Mistake: Forgetting to say “Bismillah” before starting.

✅ Fix: Always say “Bismillah” at the beginning—it’s a Sunnah and carries reward.

2. ❌ Not Washing Body Parts Properly:

Mistake: Leaving dry spots (especially between fingers, elbows, heels, or under rings).
✅ Fix: Rub and make sure water touches the entire area that must be washed.

3. ❌ Washing Less Than the Required Parts:

Mistake: Not covering the elbows or ankles fully.
✅ Fix: Wash above the elbows and ankles slightly to ensure coverage.

4. ❌ Overusing Water :

Mistake: Wasting water by using too much or letting the tap run.
✅ Fix: Use only what’s needed. The Prophet ﷺ used minimal water and encouraged conservation.

5. ❌ Incorrect Order (Tarteeb)

Mistake: Washing parts out of order.
✅ Fix: Follow the Quranic order (hands → mouth → nose → face → arms → head → ears → feet).

6. ❌ Not doing Masah (wiping the head) properly :

Mistake: Just patting the head or skipping it.
✅ Fix: Wipe from front to back and back to front with wet hands once.

7. ❌ Not Washing Between Toes or Fingers :

Mistake: Water doesn’t reach between fingers/toes.
✅ Fix: Run your fingers between them while washing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wudu (ablution) - FAQ'S

1. If i forget to say 'Bismillah' then my wudu become invalid ?

It is sunnah to say “Bismillah” before starting wudu .
If you forgot to say bismillah and you performed the wudu, then don’t worry your wudu will be valid.
Remember do not forgot say ‘Bismillah’ next time, because its Sunnah of our beloved Prophet.
Don’t say Bismillah loudly in the bathroom say it in your heart.

2. What are the steps of Wudu in the correct order?

This is the Correct order of Wudu (ablution)

Follow the Quranic order :
(hands → mouth → nose → face → arms → head → ears → feet).

3.What breaks Wudu in Islam?

Anything that comes out of the private parts
– Urine, stool, gas (passing wind), or other discharges.
Deep sleep
– If you’re not in a sitting position or lose full awareness.
Loss of consciousness
– Fainting, intoxication, or anything that causes a complete mental break.
Touching private parts with the bare hand
– Some scholars require Wudu again after this, so it’s best to be cautious.
Acts like vomiting, minor bleeding
–(Some scholars opinion)

4. Can I do Wudu with makeup or nail polish on?

No, in generally your wudu be not valid, if your using any nail polish or something that prevents water to wet the skin.
You should remove it before performing wudu, My opinion is you have not to use any nail polish or a barrier that prevents water to wet your skin .etc..
Nail polish forms a waterproof layer, so Wudu is not valid with regular nail polish on.
If the makeup is waterproof or thick enough to block water from reaching the skin, it must be removed.

5. Can Wudu be done with a small amount of water?

Yes, Wudu can be performed with a small amount of water. In fact, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used very little water.
The key requirement is that water must reach and wash the required parts:

For Face :make sure that the water reaches from the face from the hairs of forehead to chin gently and from the left ear to the right ear properly.
For Hands :Make sure that the water reaches from the fingertips to elbows for both hands, make sure you washed properly.
For Masah(wiping the head) :

–Wet your hands, then wipe over your head once, from the front to the back and back to the front.

-Then wipe your ears with the same wet hands — inside with index fingers, outside with thumbs.

4. For Feets : Make sure that the water reaches from the low foot to up to the ankles and do not forgot to wash between the toes. make sure you washed both foots properly.