How do you perform Wudu correctly?

Make the intention, say Bismillah, then wash the hands, rinse the mouth and nose, wash the face, wash the arms to the elbows, wipe the head and ears, and wash the feet to the ankles — each step done in order, generally three times except wiping the head and ears.

Wudu is broken by using the toilet, passing gas, deep sleep, loss of consciousness, and the flow of blood or other impurities according to some scholarly views. Once broken, Wudu must be repeated before the next Salah.

Is Wudu the same as ablution?

Yes. Wudu is the Arabic term for the Islamic ritual of ablution — the ritual washing performed before Salah and before handling or reciting the Quran in some views.

How to Do Wudu (Ablution) Step by Step

A complete guide to how to perform Wudu correctly, in the order taught by the Sunnah, before every Salah.

What Is Wudu?

Wudu — often translated simply as "ablution" — is the ritual washing every Muslim performs before Salah (the five daily prayers) and, in the view of most scholars, before touching or reciting the Quran. If you've ever searched "how to do ablution" or "how do you perform Wudu," this guide walks through the entire process in the exact order taught by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, so your prayer is valid from the very first Takbir.

How to Do Wudu: Step-by-Step

Here is exactly how to perform Wudu, step by step, from intention to the final washing of the feet:

Make the intention (Niyat). Before you touch the water, form the intention in your heart that you are performing Wudu for the sake of Allah. Nothing needs to be said aloud — the intention is an act of the heart.
Say Bismillah. Begin by saying "Bismillah" (in the name of Allah).
Wash both hands up to the wrists, three times, starting with the right hand, making sure water passes between the fingers.
Rinse the mouth with water three times (madmadah), swishing it around before spitting it out.
Rinse the nose by sniffing water gently into the nostrils and blowing it out, three times (istinshaq).
Wash the face three times, from the hairline down to the chin, and from ear to ear.
Wash both arms up to and including the elbows, three times, starting with the right arm, then the left.
Wipe the head once with wet hands, passing them from the front of the head to the back and returning to the front (masah).
Wipe the ears once, using wet fingers to clean the inside of the ears and the thumbs to wipe behind them.
Wash both feet up to and including the ankles, three times, starting with the right foot, making sure water reaches between the toes.

Once all these steps are complete, your Wudu is valid and you may proceed to Salah. Many people also recite the shahadah after finishing Wudu, though this is a recommended practice rather than an obligation.

What Breaks Wudu?

Knowing how to do Wudu also means knowing what invalidates it. Wudu is broken by:

Using the toilet — urination or defecation
Passing gas
Deep sleep that removes awareness
Loss of consciousness (fainting)
The flow of blood or other bodily impurities, according to some scholarly views

Once Wudu is broken, it must be performed again in full before the next Salah — there is no need to only redo the missing part.

Wudu vs. Ablution: Is There a Difference?

No — "Wudu" and "ablution" refer to the same act. Wudu is the Arabic term used in the Quran and Hadith, while "ablution" is simply the English word commonly used to translate it. So whether you search for how to do Wudu or how to do ablution, you're looking for the same nine-step process described above.

Why Wudu Matters

Wudu is a prerequisite for Salah — a prayer performed without valid Wudu is not accepted. Beyond the physical cleanliness, Wudu is described in Hadith as a means of spiritual purification: with each part washed, minor sins are said to fall away, leaving the worshiper spiritually refreshed and ready to stand before Allah in prayer.