How to Perform Wudu

Wudu is the ritual cleansing of one's body before praying or reading the Quran in Islam. Muslims around the world perform this ritual every day, achieving a state of partial ablution. Not only is it a necessary part of Islam, it is also a beautiful way of preparing one's mind for prayer, pushing away other concerns about everyday life and focusing attention on Allah.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Towel
• Sand or earth (only if water is not available)

Instructions

1. Create an intent to perform wudu. This intent need only be thought in the mind. In other words, you simply need to think about the reason you are going to perform wudu.

2. Say "Bismillah," which means "In the name of Allah."

3. Wash your hands all the way to the wrists. Wash them three times.

4. Wash your mouth out with water three times. Some Muslims prefer to gurgle the water as well.

5. Wash your nose three times.

6. Wash your entire face three times.

7. Wash your right arm, all the way up to the elbow, three times. Next, move to the left arm, washing up to the elbow three times as well.

8. With a little water on your hand, wash the forehead all the way to the back of the neck, making sure to run your fingers through your hair. Scoop around and behind the ears, cleaning them as well. It is only necessary to perform this step once.

9. Wash your right foot, all the way to the ankle, three times. Make sure to run your fingers in between your toes. Repeat this step with the left foot.

10. Recite the Shahada: "La ilaha illa Allah, wa Mohammadan Rasul Allah." This means, "There is no god but God, and Mohammad is the messenger of Allah." If you prefer, you may dry your body with a clean towel. This completes your partial ablution, or wudu, and you are ready to pray or study the Quran!

Tips & Warnings

• It is important to know that several occurrences may disqualify the act of wudu as appropriate for prayer: natural discharges (gas, urine, stool and so forth), intercourse, falling asleep, losing the senses (by intoxication), flow of blood or pus from any part of the body and vomiting.

• After use of the toilet, water must be applied. Toilet tissue is not sufficient for cleansing the body before prayer.