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Purification before prayer

How do I perform wudu' correctly?

This lesson presents the basic manner of wudu' in a clear order, distinguishing the established foundation from the details that need asking the people of knowledge when an excuse or special case exists.

01

The meaning

Wudu' is a purification that precedes the prayer

Allah legislated wudu' when standing for prayer for one who is in a state of minor impurity, and made for it specific limbs and a known manner. What is meant is that the Muslim purifies himself as it came in revelation, without extravagance or affectation.

02

The foundation from the Qur'an

The limbs of wudu'

﴿ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ فَاغْسِلُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى الْمَرَافِقِ وَامْسَحُوا بِرُءُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ ﴾“O you who have believed, when you rise [intending to pray], wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles.”
Surat al-Ma'idah, verse 6
03

The practical order

The steps of wudu' in brief

  1. The intention: Its place is the heart, and it needs no utterance.
  2. The basmalah and washing the palms: Then rinsing the mouth and the nose.
  3. Washing the face: Covering it with water.
  4. Washing the arms to the elbows.
  5. Wiping the head and the ears.
  6. Washing the feet to the ankles: Getting the water between the toes.
  7. Continuity and order: Without a long gap and without putting a limb out of its place.
04

Common mistakes

What to be careful about

  • Leaving a part of the heel or elbow without water.
  • Wasting water, although the sunnah is economy.
  • Indulging in obsession and repeating washing without need.
  • Believing that every prayer requires new wudu' even if wudu' was not broken.
Record of sources

Review sources

The material relies on the Qur'anic text and the authentic hadiths, and benefited from explanations and fatwas published in several official sources.

  1. The Noble Qur'anSurat al-Ma'idah, verse 6
    Original text
  2. The hadiths on the description of the Prophet's wudu' ﷺSahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, from the hadith of 'Uthman, may Allah be pleased with him
    The two Sahihs
  3. The sufficient and complete manner in wudu' and ghuslShaykh Muhammad ibn Salih al-'Uthaymin, may Allah have mercy on him — the official site
    Open the specific source
  4. Economy in the water of wudu'The official site of Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan
    Open the source
  5. The intention in wudu'The official site of Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan
    Open the source
The next stage

Preparing for the prayer

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