How do I perform wudu' correctly?
Short answer
The manner of wudu': washing the palms first as a recommendation, then rinsing the mouth and nose, washing the face and arms to the elbows, wiping the head and ears, and washing the feet to the ankles.
Evidence and explanation
The Shaykh explained the manner of the Prophet's ﷺ wudu', citing the verse of wudu' and its practical explanation.
Scholar referenced
This editorial summary is based on the original source linked below and is not presented as a verbatim quotation from the scholar.
From the text of the answer (Arabic, with an English translation)
Original answer — Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Aziz ibn Baz
صفة وضوء النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم — فتوى ١٠٢٥٥- Question
«من القاهرة المستمع محمد برعي يسأل سماحتكم عن الكيفية الصحيحة للوضوء؟ جزاكم الله خيرًا.»
English translation (unreviewed): From Cairo the listener Muhammad Bar'i asks your eminence about the correct manner of wudu'? May Allah reward you.
- From the text of the answer
«النبي ﷺ وضح للأمة الوضوء، ارجع إليه ﷺ تفسيرًا لقوله تعالى: يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلاةِ فَاغْسِلُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى الْمَرَافِقِ وَامْسَحُوا بِرُءُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ [المائدة:٦] فسره النبي ﷺ، فسرها بفعله للصحابة.»
English translation (unreviewed): The Prophet ﷺ made wudu' clear to the nation; refer to him ﷺ as the explanation of the saying of the Most High: “O you who believe, when you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles” [al-Ma'idah: 6]. The Prophet ﷺ explained it; he explained it by his action for the Companions.
The Arabic excerpts matched the original page word for word by an automated check and have not had human scholarly review. The English translations are unreviewed translations made for this site; they are not an approved Shari‘ah translation. Rely on the Arabic original.
Source
The manner of the Prophet's wudu', may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him
Title of the original page (Arabic): صفة وضوء النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم
Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Aziz ibn Baz, may Allah have mercy on him