How to Perform Wudu
Purification before prayer
Step 4: Washing the Face (Three Times)
After rinsing the mouth and nose, the next obligation in wudu is to wash the face. This step is explicitly commanded by Allah in the Qur’an and was consistently practiced by the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them).
What Is Meant by the Face
In wudu, the face includes everything from:
- The hairline at the top of the forehead
- Down to the bottom of the chin
- From one ear to the other
All of this area must be washed thoroughly, ensuring that water reaches the skin.
How This Step Is Performed
- Take water with both hands and apply it to the face.
- Wash the entire face gently and evenly.
- Ensure water reaches all areas, including the sides of the face.
- Repeat this washing three times, following the Sunnah.
Evidence from the Qur’an:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ فَاغْسِلُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ
Ya ayyuhalladhina amanu idha qumtum ila assalati faghsilu wujuhakum
“O you who believe, when you rise for prayer, wash your faces.”
Evidence from the Sunnah:
The Companion Abdullah ibn Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him) described the wudu of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), saying:
فَغَسَلَ وَجْهَهُ ثَلَاثًا
Faghasala wajhahu thalathan
“He washed his face three times.”
The early generations of Islam emphasized completeness without excess. Washing the face three times is Sunnah; washing once fulfills the obligation. There is no virtue in exaggeration or hardship.
For the believer, washing the face is a moment of renewal. The face is what others see, and it is also the place of humility in prayer. Cleansing it before standing before Allah is a sign of readiness, respect, and submission.
This step completes the purification of the face. The next step moves to the arms, continuing the orderly sequence taught by the Messenger of Allah (may Allah be pleased with him).