Wudu, or ablution, is both a traditional ritual and a practical means by
which Muslims may seek to maintain good physical and spiritual hygiene.
Traditionally, Wudu refers to the mental preparation of Muslims for the
Salat (prayer/Tholugai), one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
1.Make niyyah (Intention) to perform washing.
Niyyah is the Islamic concept of performing an act for the sake of
Allah. To truly perform Wudu, you should center yourself and quiet your
thoughts, focusing seriously on what you are doing.
- Niyyah doesn't necessarily involve saying anything out loud, but focusing on the phrase "Bismillah" (In the name of Allah) is a good way to accomplish the centering necessary. Say it out loud or silently to yourself, whichever makes you comfortable.
2.Wash your hands.
Use your left hand to wash your
right hand. Do this three times. After that, use your right hand to wash
your left hand three times. Make sure to wash in between your fingers
and all the way up to your wrists.[1]
3. Take water into your mouth.
Use your right hand to
cup water into your mouth three times. Swish it around in your cheeks
and the back of your throat. Do this thoroughly to get all the remaining
food in your mouth out.
4.Inhale water into your nose.
Use your right hand to cup water and inhale it into your nose three
times. You can use your left hand to close one nostril and blow out if
you need to. Snort sharply and abruptly without taking too much water
into your nose and choking yourself.
5.Wash your face.
Wash your face three times by spreading your hands from your right ear to the left, and from the edge of the hair to the chin.
6. Wash your lower arms from wrists to elbows, leaving no part dry.
From your wrist to your elbow, wash your right arm with your left hand
three times and then wash your left arm with your right hand three
times.
7. Clean your head.
Using
your wet hands, gently wipe your forehead from the eyebrow to the
hairline. Also wipe down your hair, the back of your neck, and your
temples. Do this one time.
8. Wipe your ears inside and out.
With the same water,
use your finger to clean all the crevices of your ear. Use your thumb to
clean behind your ears from the bottom upward. This is also done one
time.
9. Wash each of your feet.
Clean up to the the ankles
and be sure water goes between the toes. Use your pinky finger and go
through each toe to eliminate anything between. Start with your right
foot and scrub each foot three times.
10. While pointing the right index finger to the sky, recite a brief prayer of witness.
Generally, the prayer is as follows: "Ash-hadu anlaa ilaaha illALLAHu
wahdahuu laa shariikalahu, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhuu wa
rasuuluhu."
- In English, this is translated as "I bear witness that there is no deity save Allah alone; He is One; He has no partner and I bear witness that (Hadrat) Muhammad (sallallahu ala Muhammadu sallallahu alaihu Wasallam) is His (chosen) servant and (true) Messenger."
11. Repeat Wudu after it has been nullified.
Actions that
nullify Wudu include natural discharges, including urination,
defecation, excessive bleeding, and gas. Deep sleep also nullifies Wudu.
- After intercourse, re-performing Wudu alone is not enough to be able to perform Salat. There is another form of purification that must be performed known as Ghusul.
