Actions for performing Wudu {Ablution}

Running Water Through the Beard with the Fingers

Take a handful of water into the right hand and enter it below the chin and rub it through the beard making sure to get all the way down to the roots of the hair.

Anas (RA) narrates that the Prophet (SAW), when he made wudu, used to take a handful of water and enter it below his chin and rub it through his beard and said, "This is what my Lord - the Great and Exalted - has ordered me to do." (Sahih - Abu Dawood, Al-Baihaqee, Al-Haakim)

Washing the Hands and Arms Including the Elbows

Use the left hand to wash the right hand, forearm and elbow, up to and including the elbow making sure that no part of the hand, arm and elbow is left dry, especially between the fingers. Repeat three times. Then use the right hand to wash the left hand, forearm and elbow making sure that no part of the hand, arm and elbow is left dry, especially between the fingers. Repeat three times.


Allah (SWT) said, "O you who believe! When you intend to offer prayer, wash your faces and your hands (fore-arms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to ankles�" (Al-Ma'idah 5:6)

Nu'aim ibn Mijmar (RA) said, "I saw Abu Hurairah make wudu - he washed his face and completed the wudu, then washed his right hand until he reached the upper arm, then his left hand till he reached the upper arm" - then in the end of the Hadith he said: "This is how I saw Rasoolullah (SAW) make wudu.'" (Sahih - Muslim)

Wiping the Head *

Wipe the head with the fingers of both hands, starting from the forehead, taking them to the nape of the neck, then bring them back to the forehead. Do this one time.

Allah (SWT) said, "O you who believe! When you intend to offer prayer, wash your faces and your hands (fore-arms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to ankles�" (Al-Ma'idah 5:6)


The Prophet (SAW) wiped his head with his two hands, moving them forwards and backwards - beginning with the front of the head and (wiping) with them up to his nape then he (SAW) returned them to the place from which he began. (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Muslim, At-Tirmithee, and others)


*Woman's Head Cover

As for the woman's head cover, it is also permissible to wipe over it. This would be the case of a woman that has no private place for wudu (i.e. where non-Mahram men or non-Muslim women may see them). Do this one time.

Umm Salamah (RA) used to wipe over her head cover . (See'al-Mughnee' - Ibn Mundhir)

Wiping the Ears

Wipe the ears by inserting the tips of the index fingers into the ears, twist them around the folds of the ears then pass the thumb behind the ears from the bottom, upwards. Wipe the ears with the water used for the head. Do this one time.

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, "The two ears are a part of the head." (Sahih - At-Tirmithee, Abu Dawood, and Ibn Maajah)


From Abdullah ibn Amr (RA) - about the way of performing wudu - he (SAW) said, "Then he (SAW) wiped his head and entered his two forefingers into his ears and wiped the backs of his ears with his thumbs". (Sahih - Abu Dawood, An-Nasaa�ee, Ibn Maajah, Ibn Khuzaimah)

Ar-Rabee bint Mu'awwidh (RA) reported that the Prophet (SAW), "Wiped his head with water remaining in his hand". (Hasan - Abu Dawood and others)

Washing the Feet and Ankles*

Use the right hand to wash the right foot up to and including the ankle making sure no part of the foot is left dry, especially between the toes. Use the right hand pinkie finger to wash between the toes starting on the right side of the foot. Repeat three times. Then use the left hand to wash the left foot up to and including the ankle making sure no part of the foot is left dry, especially between the toes. Use the left hand pinkie finger to wash between the toes starting on the right side of the foot. Repeat three times.

Allah (SWT) said, "O you who believe! When you intend to offer prayer, wash your faces and your hands (fore-arms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to ankles�" (Al-Ma'idah 5:6)


"Ibn Umar (RA) said, "Rasoolullah (SAW) fell behind us and then came upon us during a journey, then we found him and it was time for 'Asr - so we began to make Wudu and wipe over our feet, so he (SAW) called out at the top of his voice, 'Woe to the ankles from the Fire. (two or three times)'" (Sahih - Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

"Al-Mustaurad (RA) said, "When the Prophet (SAW) made wudu he would enter the water between his toes with his little finger." (Sahih - Abu Dawood, At-Tirmithee, and Ibn Maajah)

*Wiping Over the Foot Covering

Wiping over the top of the foot covering with wet hands instead of washing the feet is allowed, provided that the foot covering has been put on after performing wudu that included washing the feet. Wipe the top of each foot one time, using the right hand for the right foot and the left hand for the left foot. This is allowed for 24 hours from the time of wudu, if not traveling. After this time the feet must be washed. It is allowed for 3 days from the time of wudu, if traveling. After this time the feet must be washed.

Amr ibn Umayyah (RA) said, "I saw Rasoolullah (SAW) wipe over his turban and leather socks." (Sahih - Al-Bukhari and others)

Drying the Body-Parts After Wudu


Drying the body-parts after wudu is a desirable action.

Aishah (RA) said, "Rasoolullah (SAW) had a cloth which he used to dry himself with after making wudu." (Sahih - An-Nasaa'ee)

How Many Times For Each Action in Wudu

Each detail of wudu has been performed by Prophet Muhammad (SAW) once, twice or three times (except wiping of head and ears, these should only be done once). Washing each body-part once is obligatory - and the second and third washings are Sunnah - and it is better to wash three times so as to follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW).


Ibn Abbas (RA) said, "Rasoolullah (SAW) made wudu (washing each part) once." (Sahih - Al-Bukhari)

Abdullah ibn Zaid (RA) narrates that the Prophet (SAW) made wudu (washing each part) twice. (Sahih - Al-Bukhari)

Uthman (RA) recorded that he (SAW) washed each of the parts three times. (Sahih - Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Beginning With the Right

Always wash the right hand before the left hand. Always wash the right foot before the left foot. Always wash the right side before the left side.


Aisha (RA) said, "Rasoolullah (SAW) used to like to begin with the right in putting on shoes, combing his hair, in purification and in all of his affairs." (Sahih - Al-Bukhari, Muslim, and others)