Performing wudu (ablution) is essential before Salah. Allah commands purification in the Qur'an:
"يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ فَاغْسِلُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى الْمَرَافِقِ وَامْسَحُوا بِرُؤُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ" (المائدة: 6)
Meaning: "O you who believe! When you rise to pray, wash your faces, your hands up to the elbows, wipe your heads, and wash your feet up to the ankles." (Surah Al-Ma'idah: 6) [1]. Wudu ensures both physical and spiritual cleanliness.

It begins with the intention (niyyah) in the heart. Say Bismillah before starting. The Prophet ﷺ said:
"إنما الأعمال بالنيات" (رواه البخاري ومسلم)
Meaning: "Actions are judged by intentions." [2] This ensures that the ablution is performed sincerely for Allah.

First, wash your hands up to the wrists three times. Ensure water reaches every part. The Prophet ﷺ emphasized:
"اغسلا يديكما قبل أن تبدآ الوضوء"
Meaning: "Wash your hands before starting ablution." [3] Clean hands prepare for the rest of wudu.

Next, rinse the mouth three times and sniff water into the nose. The Prophet ﷺ said:
"المضمضة والاستنشاق سنة لكل وضوء"
Meaning: "Rinsing the mouth and nose is Sunnah for every wudu." [4]

Wash the face completely three times from forehead to chin and ear to ear. The Qur'an says:
"وَاغْسِلُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ" (المائدة: 6)
Meaning: "And wash your faces." [1] Every part must be touched by water for validity.

Then, wash both arms including the elbows three times, starting with the right. The Prophet ﷺ instructed meticulous washing:
"اغسلا مَرافِقكما مع يديكُم"
Meaning: "Wash your elbows along with your hands." [5]

Wipe the head once and the ears with wet hands. The Prophet ﷺ said:
"امسحوا رؤوسكم وأذانكم"
Meaning: "Wipe your heads and ears." [5] This step signifies mindfulness in purification.

Wash both feet up to the ankles three times, starting with the right. Include spaces between toes. The Qur'an confirms:
"وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ" (المائدة: 6)
Meaning: "And your feet up to the ankles." [1] Complete washing finalizes wudu.

A practical example: Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه, a close companion of the Prophet ﷺ, was reported to wash his hands carefully, rinse his mouth, and perform every step attentively before Salah. He said: "The Prophet ﷺ taught us to be meticulous in wudu, so our prayer is accepted." [6] Following the Sunnah of the Sahaba ensures correctness and spiritual reward.

Conclude with the dua:
"أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، وأشهد أن محمداً عبده ورسوله"
Meaning: "I bear witness that there is no deity except Allah alone, and I bear witness that Muhammad ﷺ is His servant and messenger." Proper wudu prepares the believer for sincere and accepted prayer. [7]


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References:

1. Qur'an, Surah Al-Ma'idah, 5:6


2. Sahih Bukhari & Sahih Muslim, Book of Intention


3. Al-Muwatta Imam Malik, Book of Wudu


4. Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Purification


5. Sahih Muslim, Book of Ablution


6. Riyad as-Salihin, Hadith of Abu Hurairah


7. Al-Fiqh al-Islami wa Adillatuh, Wahbah al-Zuhayli