How to Perform Wudu Step by Step? A Complete Guide
Hi! Are you looking for an explanation of "How to perform Wudu step by step?"? If your answer is “Yes,” congratulations! Now you are reading the right article. Why? Because that is what I will explain in this article. As Muslims, we must understand this, which is why I wrote this article. So, you should read it to the end!
Specifically, there are some important things about "How to perform Wudu step by step?" that I will explain in this article. Some of the important things I mean are as follows:
What Is Wudu in Islam?
The important thing about "How to perform Wudu step by step?" that I'm going to explain now is "What is wudu in Islam?" I want you to understand this first before you read further in this article because it is one of the key aspects of wudu that must be well understood.
Wudu is a cleansing routine or ablution that is a vital part of purity and tidiness in Islam before performing worship. It involves a procedure to wash the hands, mouth, nostrils, arms, face, ears, feet, and hair. It prepares one psychologically and physically for prayer and must therefore be performed properly.
Wudu, or the cleansing routine performed before prayer or salat, is a vital part of the Muslim faith. We will guide you in detail through every aspect of this important and cleansing routine, so you can feel comfortable performing it by yourself before your time of worship.
Before we can perform prayer or salat, we need to prepare ourselves psychologically, spiritually, and physically. A significant part of this preparation is what is known as wudu. It is a purification process that every Muslim must perform before their prayer can be accepted.
It is such an essential part of the prayer or salat that if anyone neglects it due to lack of knowledge, forgetfulness, or carelessness, their salah will not be accepted by Allah.
We can find an explanation of the importance of Wudu in the hadith below:
عَنْ أَبِيْ هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ أَنَّ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ : لَا يَقْبَلُ اللهُ صَلَاةَ أَحَدِكُمْ إِذَا أَحْدَثَ حَتَّى يَتَوَضَّأَ . مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ
From Abu Hurairah radiyallahu anhu, the Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, "Allah does not accept the prayer of anyone from you if they have hadas (minor hadas) until they perform wudu." This hadith was narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim.
This hadith explains that Allah will decline our prayers if we have minor hadas. In Islam, Wudu is the essential way to remove minor hadas.
That's a brief explanation of "What is wudu in Islam?" As Muslims, we must understand this.
What Is the Purpose of Wudu?
The important thing about "How to perform Wudu step by step?" that I'm going to explain now is "What is the purpose of wudu?" I want you to understand this by the end of this discussion so that you have a good understanding of wudu after reading this article.
Wudu is a ritual performed by cleansing the face, arms, legs, head, and so on.
Our Prophet said to Anas ibn Malik, "My dear child! Perform wudu fully so that the hafaza (angels) will love you and your life will be lengthened."
Wudu gives the face light and the heart delight. It causes minor sins to be forgiven. The Prophet (pbuh) said the following regarding this issue:
An individual who performs wudu as prescribed and prays as prescribed, all his previous minor sins are forgiven.
Wudu is the spiritual weapon of the believer. It protects him from evil thoughts and desires. It eliminates the delusions and negative ideas that plague his mind. However, he should always remain in a state of wudu.
People in a state of wudu are protected from the harm of harmful beings and evildoers thanks to their wudu and stay away from their damage.
It is also mentioned in hadiths that the organs of Muslims that are cleansed during wudu will be very bright, like the moon, and their faces will be luminous. This is something that was not granted to other ummahs.
That's a brief explanation of "What is the purpose of wudu?" As Muslims, we must understand this.
Why Is Wudu Important in Islam?
The important thing about "How to perform Wudu step by step?" that I will explain now is "Why is wudu important in Islam?" I want you to understand this first before you read further explanations in this article because it is one of the fundamental questions about wudu in Islam that must be well understood.
If we refer to some Islamic legal literature on wudu, we will find three reasons why wudu is important in Islam:
- Wudu is the primary way to remove minor hadas; the alternative is Tayammum. This explanation is found in various Islamic legal literatures. In other words, it is a well-known fact that the majority of Muslims already understand, so I will not explain that again here.
- Some acts of worship in Islam require Muslims to be in a state of purity, which includes performing wudu. One such act is prayer. We find this explanation in the following hadiths:
عَنْ أَبِيْ هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ أَنَّ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: لَا يَقْبَلُ اللهُ صَلَاةَ أَحَدِكُمْ إِذَا أَحْدَثَ حَتَّى يَتَوَضَّأَ. مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ
From Abu Hurairah radiyallahu anhu, the Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, "Allah does not accept someone's prayer from you if he has hadas (minor hadas) until he performs wudu." This hadith was narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim.
عَنْ أَبِيْ هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: إِذَا وَجَدَ أَحَدُكُمْ فِيْ بَطْنِهِ شَيْئًا فَأَشْكَلَ عَلَيْهِ أَخْرَجَ مِنْهُ شَيْءٌ أَمْ لَا؟ فَلَا يَخْرُجَنَّ مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ حَتَّى يَسْمَعَ صَوْتًا أَوْ يَجِدَ رِيْحًا. أَخْرَجَهُ مُسْلِمٌ
From Abu Hurairah radiyallahu anhu, he said, "The Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, 'If one of you finds something in his stomach and doubts whether something has come out of him or not, he should not leave the mosque until he hears a sound or smells an aroma.'" This hadith was narrated by Muslim.
وَعَنْ عَبَّادِ بْنِ تَمِيمٍ، عَنْ عَمِّهِ، أَنَّهُ شَكَا إِلَى رَسُوْلِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ الرَّجُلُ الَّذِي يُخَيَّلُ إِلَيْهِ أَنَّهُ يَجِدُ الشَّيْءَ فِي الصَّلاَةِ. فَقَالَ: لَا يَنْفَتِلْ أَوْ لَا يَنْصَرِفْ حَتَّى يَسْمَعَ صَوْتًا أَوْ يَجِدَ رِيْحًا
From 'Abbad bin Tamim, from his uncle, that there was a man who complained to the Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alayhi wa sallam that he hesitated as if he found something (fart) in his prayer. He then said, "He must not move or leave until he hears a sound or smells an odor."
عَنْ عَلِيٍّ بْنِ طَلْقٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: إِذَا فَسَا أَحَدُكُمْ فِي الصَّلَاةِ فَلْيَنْصَرِفْ وَلْيَتَوَضَّأْ وَلْيُعِدْ الصَّلَاةَ. رَوَاهُ الْخَمْسَةَ
From Ali bin Thalq radiyallahu anhu, he said, "The Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, 'If any of you passes gas silently while praying, let him go out, perform wudu, and repeat the prayer.' This hadith was narrated by five (Ahmad, Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasa'i, Ibn Majah).
- Wudu has many virtues. We find this explanation in the following hadiths:
عَنْ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُوْلُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: مَا مِنْكُمْ مِنْ أَحَدٍ يَتَوَضَّأُ فَيُسْبِغُ الْوُضُوءَ ثُمَّ يَقُوْلُ: أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ، إِلَّا فُتِحَتْ لَهُ أَبْوَابُ الْجَنَّةِ الثَّمَانِيَةِ يَدْخُلُ مِنْ أَيِّهَا شَاءَ. أَخْرَجَهُ مُسْلِمٌ وَالتِّرْمِذِيُّ وَزَادَ: اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِي مِنَ التَّوَّابِينَ وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنَ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ
From Umar radiyallahu anhu, he said, "The Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, 'It is not one of you who performs wudu and perfects it, then says, "I testify that there is no god but Allah who has no partner, and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger," except the eight gates of Heaven have been opened for him. He can enter any door he wishes.' This hadith is narrated by Muslim and at-Tirmidhi. He (at-Tirmidhi) added another supplication, "O Allah, make me among those who repent and make me among those who are purified."
The above hadith explains that if Muslims complete their wudu and pray after wudu, they can enter Paradise through any of its gates. That is one of the virtues of wudu.
عَنْ أَبِيْ هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ : سَمِعْتُ رَسُوْلَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُوْلُ : إِنَّ أُمَّتِيْ يَأْتُوْنَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ غُرَّا مُحَجَّلِيْنَ مِنْ أَثَرِ الْوُضُوْءِ ، فَمَنْ اِسْتَطَاعَ مِنْكُمْ أَنْ يُطِيْلَ غُرَّتَهُ فَلْيَفْعَلْ . مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ
From Abu Hurairah radiyallahu anhu, he said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alayhi wa sallam say, 'Verily, my people on the Day of Judgment will come with white light on their limbs from the effects of wudu. Whoever of you can prolong this light, let him do so.'" The hadith is narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim.
The above hadith explains that the virtue of wudu is as a sign that distinguishes the people of the Prophet Muhammad from the people of other prophets on that day. Prophet Muhammad will recognize his people by the white light emanating from their bodies. The white light will emanate from the body that is washed and wiped when performing wudu.
That's a brief explanation of "Why is wudu important in Islam?". As Muslims, we must understand that.
When Do You Have to Do Wudu?
The important thing about "How to perform Wudu step by step?" that I will explain now is "when do you have to do wudu?". I want you to understand this now so you know when you need to perform wudu.
In the previous paragraphs, I have explained that wudu is the most important way to get rid of minor hadas. I have also explained that there are several acts of worship in Islam that require Muslims to be in a state of purity when performing them. One of these acts is prayer.
So, if you ask me, “When do you have to do wudu?”, the answer is: “You have to do wudu when you have minor hadas and before performing any worship that requires you to be in a state of purity.”
That's a brief explanation of "When do you have to do wudu?". As Muslims, we must understand that.
How to Perform Wudu Step by Step?
The important thing about "How to perform Wudu step by step?" that I will explain now is the 10 steps of wudu. I want you to understand all of these by the end of this discussion because they are all essential aspects of performing wudu. These are the main topics in this article. So, I really hope you read the explanation below carefully.
Before I explain wudu step by step, I will quote some hadiths that explain the common practices that must be followed in wudu. The hadiths are as follows:
عَنْ حَمْرَانَ : أَنَّ عُثْمَانَ دَعَا بِوُضُوْءٍ فَغَسَلَ كَفَّيْهِ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ ثُمَّ تَمَضْمَضَ وَاسْتَنْشَقَ وَاسْتَنْثَرَ ثُمَّ غَسَلَ وَجْهَهُ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ ثُمَّ غَسَلَ يَدَهُ الْيُمْنَى إِلَى الْمِرْفَقِ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ ثُمَّ الْيُسْرَى مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ ، ثُمَّ مَسَحَ بِرَأْسِهِ ، ثُمَّ غَسَلَ رِجْلَهُ الْيُمْنَى إِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ ، ثُمَّ الْيُسْرَى مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ ، ثُمَّ قَالَ : رَأَيْتُ رَسُوْلَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ تَوَضَّأَ نَحْوَ وُضُوْئِيْ هَذَا . مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ
From Hamran, Uthman performed wudu. He washed his palms three times. Then he rinsed, put a little water into his nose, and expelled it. Then he washed his face three times. He then washed his right hand up to the elbow three times, followed by his left hand in the same manner. Next, he wiped his head. After that, he washed his right foot up to the ankles three times, then his left foot in the same way. He then said, "I have seen the Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alayhi wa sallam perform wudu like this." The hadith is narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim.
عَنْ عَلِيٍّ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ فِيْ صِفَةِ وُضُوْءِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ : وَمَسَحَ بِرَأْسِهِ وَاحِدَةً . أَخْرَجَهُ أَبُوْ دَاوُدَ
From Ali radliyallahu anhu about the description of the Prophet Muhammad's sallallahu alayhi wa sallam wudu, he said, "He (Prophet Muhammad) wiped his head once." The hadith was narrated by Abu Dawud.
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ عَمْرُو رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا فِيْ صِفَةِ الْوُضُوْءِ قَالَ : ثُمَّ مَسَحَ بِرَأْسِهِ وَأَدْخَلَ إِصْبِعَيْهِ السَّبَاحَتَيْنِ فِيْ أُذُنَيْهِ ، وَمَسَحَ بِأَبْهَامِهِ ظَاهِرَ أُذُنَيْهِ . أَخْرَجَهُ أَبُوْ دَاوُدَ وَالنَّسَائِيُّ
From Abd Allah ibn Amr radliyallahu anhu about the description of wudu, he said, "Then he (the Prophet Muhammad) rubbed his head and put his two index fingers into his ears and wiped the outer parts of his ears with his thumbs." The hadith is narrated by Abu Dawud and an-Nasa'i.
The detailed explanation of wudu step by step is as follows:
Make Your Intention to Perform Wudu (Niyyah for Wudu)
The first step is to understand that you will start the process of wudu to prepare for salah. There are no specific words or declarations required; the intention is made in the heart. Niyyah is the Islamic concept of performing an act for Allah. To truly perform wudu, you should focus your mind and soul on what you're doing. Saying "Bismillah" (in the name of Allah) aloud or quietly to yourself can help you concentrate.
Wash Your Hands 3 Times
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught us to start with the right side first. This means you need to wash your right hand from the fingertips to the wrist 3 times. Ensure that every part of the hand is covered. Then, perform the same steps with your left hand 3 times.
Wash Your Mouth 3 Times
Take some water into your right hand and rinse your mouth 3 times. Ensure that you clean your mouth thoroughly.
Inhale Water into Your Nose
Use your right hand to cup water and inhale it into your nose, then expel it 3 times. Snort gently to ensure the water reaches your nostrils. If you're unable to inhale water into your nose, you can dampen your fingers and apply water to the lower part of your nostrils.
Wash Your Face 3 Times
Cleanse every part of your face from ear to ear and from the top of your forehead to the bottom of your chin. Repeat this step 3 times. For men with beards, pass your damp hands through your beard while washing your face.
Wash Your Arms 3 Times
Start with the right arm from the fingertips to the elbow, washing it 3 times. Ensure that no part is left dry. Then, follow the same process for your left arm and do it 3 times.
Wipe Your Head Once
Wipe your head with your damp hands from the top of your forehead to the back of your head, and then from the back of your head to the forehead. This step is performed once.
Clean Your Ears 3 Times
Use your damp hands to clean inside your ears with your index fingers and the area behind your ears with your thumbs.
Wash Your Feet 3 Times
Wash your right foot from the toes up to and including the ankle 3 times. Ensure that water reaches every part of the foot, especially between the toes and the back of the ankle. Repeat this process with the left foot 3 times.
Recite the Dua After Wudu
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ
I testify that there is no god but Allah who has no partner, and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger.
Obligatory and Sunnah in Wudu
The 10 steps of wudu that you must understand are as follows:
- You must have clean water that can purify (water for wudu). This is obligatory in wudu.
- You must rinse your mouth. This is Sunnah in wudu.
- You have to inhale the water and expel it. This is Sunnah in wudu.
- You must wash your face. This is obligatory in wudu.
- You must have the niyyah for wudu. This is obligatory in wudu.
- You must wash your hands up to the elbows. This is obligatory in wudu.
- You have to wipe some of the hair on your head. This is obligatory in wudu.
- You have to wipe your ears. This is obligatory in wudu.
- You must wash your feet up to the ankles. This is obligatory in wudu.
- You must recite the dua after wudu. This is Sunnah in wudu.
FAQs
What Breaks Wudu?
In general, what can break wudu are minor impurities (الحَدَثُ الأَصْغَرُ) and major impurities (الحَدَثُ الأَكْبَرُ).Can I Read the Quran Without Wudu?
It is recommended to be in a state of wudu when reading the Quran. While not strictly required, it is a sign of respect and maintains ritual purity.How Much Water Did Prophet Muhammad Use for Wudu?
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used a minimal amount of water for wudu, often just a handful or about a cup, demonstrating efficiency and avoiding wastage. That is the amount of water used by Prophet Muhammad for wudu.Can You Perform Wudu Without Washing Your Face?
No, washing the face is an essential part of wudu. Omitting it invalidates the wudu, as it is one of the obligatory acts in the process.Can You Listen to the Quran Without Wudu?
Yes, you can listen to the Quran without wudu. Wudu is not a requirement for listening, but it is recommended to maintain respect.Can I Touch the Quran Without Wudu?
Traditionally, it is recommended to be in a state of wudu when touching the Quran. However, some scholars allow touching it without wudu if necessary, but it’s best to adhere to the practice of maintaining wudu for respect.How to Perform Wudu for Females?
The process of wudu for females is the same as for males. It involves washing the face, arms, and feet, and wiping the head. The procedure does not differ by gender.How to Do Wudu with Makeup On?
To perform wudu with makeup on, you need to ensure that the makeup does not prevent water from reaching the skin. For areas where makeup is thick, such as on the face, it should be removed or made sure that water can penetrate the makeup to fulfill the wudu requirements.Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding the step-by-step process of performing wudu is essential for every Muslim. As outlined in this article, wudu is not just a physical cleansing but a spiritual preparation that aligns with Islamic principles. By performing wudu correctly, we prepare ourselves both physically and spiritually for acts of worship, ensuring that our prayers are accepted by Allah. This ritual purification symbolizes our commitment to maintaining purity in our lives.
To conclude, the practice of wudu is a fundamental aspect of Islamic worship, embodying the values of cleanliness and reverence. It prepares us for prayer and helps us to remain in a state of purity, which is crucial for our spiritual well-being. By following the detailed steps and understanding the significance of wudu, Muslims can ensure that they are adhering to the teachings of Islam and fulfilling their religious obligations effectively. May we all strive to perform wudu properly and enhance our connection with Allah through our acts of worship.
