How to Perform Wudu
Purification before prayer
An Introduction to Wudu
For a Muslim, worship does not begin with movement or words. It begins with purification. Before standing before Allah in prayer, Islam teaches the believer to pause, wash, and prepare. This preparation is known as wudu.
Wudu is not merely washing the body. It is an act of obedience, humility, and readiness. Through simple actions, the believer responds to the command of Allah and follows the practice of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), as preserved and practiced by the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) and those who followed them in righteousness.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ فَٱغْسِلُوا۟ وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى ٱلْمَرَافِقِ وَٱمْسَحُوا۟ بِرُءُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى ٱلْكَعْبَيْنِ ۚ
Ya ayyuhal ladhina amanu idha qumtum ilas-salati faghsilu wuju hakum wa aydiyakum ila al marafiqi wamsahu biruusikum wa arjulakum ila alkab’ayn
O you who believe, when you rise for prayer, wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, wipe your heads, and wash your feet up to the ankles.
This verse establishes wudu as a direct command from Allah. It is not a cultural practice or a later addition. It is a form of worship legislated by Allah Himself, clarified by the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), and carefully preserved by the early generations of Islam.
For a new Muslim, wudu is often one of the first physical acts of worship learned. It marks a transition. With wudu, the believer leaves behind distraction and impurity and prepares to stand before the Lord of the worlds.
The early generations of Islam understood wudu as more than a requirement for prayer. They saw it as a moment of intention, discipline, and renewal. Each washing is an act of submission. Each pause is a reminder that worship in Islam begins with obedience and sincerity.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) taught wudu with clarity and ease. He did not burden the people, nor did he complicate what Allah made simple. This balance is central to the Islamic way: clarity without harshness, discipline without hardship.
As a new Muslim, learning wudu is not about perfection. It is about direction. With every sincere effort, Allah grants acceptance, growth, and tranquility. Wudu becomes, over time, a quiet moment of connection before every prayer.
In the pages that follow, you will learn wudu step by step, as taught by the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), understood by the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), and practiced by the righteous generations after them. Take it calmly, learn it correctly, and trust that Allah loves ease and sincerity for His servants.