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Wuḍūʾ — the small reset.

A short, gentle ritual before prayer. Each step matters; none of it is rushed.

Wuḍūʾ — ablution

A small reset, before you stand.

  1. 1

    Intention

    Silently intend to perform wuḍūʾ for the sake of prayer. Begin with ‘Bismillāh’.

  2. 2

    Wash the hands

    Wash both hands up to the wrists, three times, ensuring water reaches between the fingers.

  3. 3

    Rinse the mouth

    Take water into the mouth and swirl it around, three times.

  4. 4

    Sniff and blow water

    Gently draw water into the nostrils and blow it out, three times.

  5. 5

    Wash the face

    Wash the entire face — from forehead to chin and ear to ear — three times.

  6. 6

    Wash the arms

    Wash the right arm up to and including the elbow three times, then the left.

  7. 7

    Wipe the head

    With wet hands, wipe over the head once, from front to back and back again.

  8. 8

    Wipe the ears

    Use the index fingers for the inside of the ears and thumbs for the outside, once.

  9. 9

    Wash the feet

    Wash the right foot up to and including the ankle three times, then the left, ensuring water reaches between the toes.

What breaks wuḍūʾ

  • Using the toilet

    Anything that exits the front or back passage.

  • Passing wind

    Specifically gas exiting the back passage.

  • Deep sleep

    Sleep that fully removes awareness; light dozing while seated does not.

  • Loss of consciousness

    Fainting, intoxication, or seizure.

  • Direct contact (madhab-specific)

    Some schools include skin contact with the opposite sex or touching private parts. Check your madhab’s view.