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2025-09-18

The Proper Way to Perform Wudu: Pillars, Sunnah, and Things That Invalidate It

Wudu (ablution) is one of the most important acts of worship in a Muslim’s daily life. It is not only a prerequisite for the validity of prayer but also a means of purification from minor impurities. By performing wudu, a Muslim prepares physically and spiritually, fostering calmness, focus, and humility when standing before Allah ﷻ.

Rasulullah ﷺ said: “The key to prayer is purification…” (Hadith narrated by Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi).

This highlights that without valid wudu, prayer will not be accepted. For that reason, every Muslim must learn the correct way of performing wudu according to the guidance of the Qur’an and Sunnah.

Wudu was made obligatory during the event of Isra’ and Mi’raj. Allah ﷻ clearly outlines its rulings in the Qur’an:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ فَاغْسِلُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى الْمَرَافِقِ وَامْسَحُوا بِرُءُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ

“O you who believe, when you rise to perform prayer, wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, and wipe over your heads, and wash your feet up to the ankles...” (QS. Al-Maidah: 6)

This verse forms the foundation of wudu and explains its key obligations.

Conditions for a Valid Wudu

Before starting wudu, certain conditions must be fulfilled to ensure its validity:

The person must be a Muslim.
Be of sound understanding (able to distinguish right from wrong).
Free from major impurity (otherwise a full ritual bath, ghusl, is required first).
Use pure and permissible water.
The water must not be stolen or unlawfully obtained.
No barriers on the body parts being washed (such as thick dirt, nail polish, or paint preventing water from reaching the skin).

The Six Pillars of Wudu (Fardh/Obligatory Acts)

Based on Qur’an Al-Maidah: 6 and the Prophet’s ﷺ teachings, wudu consists of six essential pillars that must be performed in order:

Intention (Niyyah)

The intention is made in the heart at the moment of starting wudu, specifically when washing the face. Some scholars recommend reciting supplications such as:

نَوَيْتُ رَفْعَ الحَدَثِ لِلهِ تَعَالَى

Nawaytu raf‘al hadatsi lillāhi ta’ālā

نَوَيْتُ فَرْضَ الوُضُوْءِ لِلهِ تَعَالَى

Nawaytu fardhal wudhū’i lillāhi ta’ālā

نَوَيْتُ الوُضُوْءَ لِلهِ تَعَالَى

Nawaytul wudhū’a lillāhi ta’ālā

نَوَيْتُ الطَّهَارَةَ عَنِ الحَدَثِ لِلهِ تَعَالَى

Nawaytut thahārata anil hadatsi lillāhi ta’ālā

Washing the Face

From the hairline to the chin (vertically) and from ear to ear (horizontally).

Washing Both Arms Up to the Elbows

Including the hands, nails, and ensuring no dirt blocks water from reaching the skin.

Wiping Part of the Head

At minimum, water should touch part of the head or hair within the hairline. Hair that extends beyond the head, such as to the shoulders, does not count.

Washing Both Feet Up to the Ankles

Water must cover the entire foot, including toes and the area around the ankles.

Order (Tartib)

The steps must follow the prescribed sequence without skipping.

Sunnah Acts of Wudu (Recommended Practices)

In addition to the pillars, the following sunnah acts enhance the perfection of wudu:

Saying Bismillah before starting.
Washing both palms three times.
Rinsing the mouth (madmadah) and inhaling water into the nose then expelling it (istinsyaq).
Washing each limb three times.
Starting with the right side before the left.
Wiping the ears, both inside and outside.
Facing the Qiblah while performing wudu.
Reciting supplication after completing wudu.

Rasulullah ﷺ said: “When a servant performs wudu and perfects it, his sins leave his body, even from under his fingernails.” (Hadith narrated by Muslim)

Supplication After Wudu

It is recommended to recite the following supplication after finishing wudu:

أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إلَهَ إلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ، وَرَسُولُهُ، اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِي مِنْ التَّوَّابِينَ، وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنْ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ، سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إلَهَ إلَّا أَنْتَ أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ، وَأَتُوبُ إلَيْكَ

Asyhadu an lā ilāha illallāhu wahdahū lā syarīka lahū, wa asyhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhū wa rasūluhū. Allāhummaj‘alnī minat-tawwābīna, waj‘alnī minal-mutathahhirīna. Subhānakallāhumma wa bi hamdika, asyhadu an lā ilāha illā anta, astaghfiruka, wa atūbu ilayka.

“I bear witness that there is no deity except Allah alone with no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger. O Allah, make me among those who constantly repent and among those who purify themselves. Glory is to You, O Allah, and praise. I bear witness that there is no deity but You. I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance.”

Things That Invalidate Wudu

To keep worship valid, it’s important to know what breaks wudu:

Anything that exits from the private parts (urine, stool, gas, etc.).
Deep sleep causes loss of consciousness.
Losing sanity due to intoxication, illness, or fainting.
Direct skin contact between men and women who are not mahram (according to some scholars).
Touching the private parts with the palm without a barrier.

Purify Yourself, Strengthen Your Worship

Wudu is the key to a proper prayer and a means of drawing closer to Allah ﷻ. By performing it correctly, a Muslim not only cleanses the body but also prepares the heart for sincere worship.

Just as wudu keeps us spiritually pure, Bank Muamalat is committed to supporting a life full of blessings through its Sharia-compliant financial services. With the Muamalat DIN app, you can easily and securely give zakat, infaq, sadaqah, and waqf, insyaAllah with added blessings.

Perfect your worship. Begin with proper wudu, and continue with meaningful deeds alongside Bank Muamalat. Download Muamalat DIN today!