Wudu (وضوء) is the key to prayer. Without it, a Muslim cannot pray, recite the Qur'an, or touch the Mushaf. Performing wudu correctly is not only a physical cleansing but a spiritual preparation to stand before Allah ﷻ. The Qur'an says:

> "يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ فَاغْسِلُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ..."
"O you who believe! When you rise for prayer, wash your faces..." (Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:6)

This verse proves that wudu is a divine command, and doing it properly is an act of obedience to Allah ﷻ.

The Prophet ﷺ showed his Ummah how to perform wudu through his words and actions. In one Hadith, he said:

> "مَن تَوَضَّأَ نَحْوَ وُضُوئِي هَذَا ثُمَّ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ لَا يُحَدِّثُ فِيهِمَا نَفْسَهُ غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِن ذَنْبِهِ"
"Whoever performs wudu like I have done, then prays two rak'ahs with full focus, his past sins will be forgiven." (Bukhari)

To begin, have niyyah (intention) in your heart for wudu. You do not need to say it out loud. Just decide silently: "I am making wudu to purify myself for Allah." That is enough. This is based on the principle:

> "إِنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ"
"Actions are judged by intentions." (Bukhari)

Next, say "Bismillah" (بِسْمِ اللَّهِ) before starting. It is sunnah, and without it, the wudu is incomplete according to some scholars. Then begin with washing the hands up to the wrists three times.

Then, rinse your mouth three times, making sure water reaches all parts. After that, sniff water into your nose and blow it out three times. This step removes hidden impurities and refreshes the face.

Now, wash your entire face from the hairline to the chin and from ear to ear, three times. Use both hands, and ensure every part gets wet. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasized precision, as a man once left a dry spot on his heel and the Prophet ﷺ warned:

> "Woe to the heels from the Hellfire!" (Bukhari)

After the face, wash the arms up to and including the elbows three times, starting with the right. Then perform masah (wiping) of the head once, passing wet hands from the front to the back and back to the front. After that, wipe inside and outside of the ears.

Then, wash the feet up to and including the ankles three times, starting with the right. Make sure water reaches between the toes. The Prophet ﷺ used to check if his companions washed thoroughly and would remind them if anything was missed.

A famous Sahabi, Uthman ibn Affan رضي الله عنه, once performed wudu in front of people and said, "I saw the Prophet ﷺ perform wudu like this." He washed each part three times with calmness and respect. Then he said:

> "Whoever performs wudu like this, his past sins are forgiven." (Muslim)
His example shows us how to perform wudu carefully and sincerely.

When you finish wudu, recite this dua:

> "أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ"
"I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone with no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger."

Another version adds:

> "اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِي مِنَ التَّوَّابِينَ وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنَ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ"
"O Allah, make me among those who repent and purify themselves." (Tirmidhi)

A beautiful Islamic poem to memorize during or after wudu is:

وُضُوئي نُورٌ لِلرُّوحِ قَبْلَ الصَّلَاةِ
يُطَهِّرُ قَلْبِي وَيَرْفَعُ دَرَجَاتِي
بِسْمِ رَبِّي أَبْدَأُ بِالطُّهُورِ
أَرْجُو بِهِ رِضْوَانَ خَالِقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ

Translation:
My wudu is light for my soul before prayer,
It purifies my heart and raises my layers.
In the Name of my Lord, I start to cleanse,
Hoping for His mercy that never ends.

Wudu is more than water—it is worship. It washes away minor sins and prepares the believer for the honorable act of Salah. The Prophet ﷺ said:

> "When a Muslim performs wudu and washes his face, every sin from his face is washed away... until he comes out pure from sins." (Muslim)

To do wudu correctly means you take your time, wash each part properly, and focus your heart on Allah. Avoid rushing, talking, or wasting water. The Prophet ﷺ used little water and completed wudu with full attention.

In summary, performing wudu the correct way is both physical and spiritual preparation. It is an act of love for Allah. When done right, wudu becomes your light on the Day of Judgment, as the Prophet ﷺ said:

> "My Ummah will come with bright faces and limbs from the effects of wudu." (Bukhari & Muslim)



May Allah grant us sincerity and perfection in our wudu.
اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْ وُضُوءَنَا سَبَبًا لِنُورٍ يَوْمَ القِيَامَةِ
O Allah, make our wudu a reason for light on the Day of Judgment.



Remaining How To: https://www.attaqwaa.com/how-to/500-daily-islamic-how-to/msg3878/#msg3878