| Wudu (Ablution) |
| Before we perform Salah we must first prepare ourselves. This preparation includes making sure that we are clean from any physical impurities and performing Wudu.
Wudu (ablution) is required for performing Salah. We cannot offer our Salah without first making Wudu. Here are the steps to take: |
| 1. First, make the Niyyah (intention) in your heart that this act of Wudu is for the purpose of preparing for Salah, and say: “Bismillah” (in the name of Allah).
2. Wash both hands up to the wrists (starting with the right hand) three times, making sure that water has reached between the fingers.
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| 3. Take water with your right hand, put it into your mouth and rinse thoroughly three times.
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| 4. Take water with your right hand, splash it into your nose and blow it out three times. (Use the left hand if necessary to help blow it out).
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| 5. Wash your whole face three times repeatedly. (The whole face includes: the right ear to the left ear, and the forehead to the bottom of the chin).
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| 6. Wash the right arm thoroughly from wrist to elbow three times, and make sure that no part of the arm has been left unwashed. Repeat with the left arm.
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| 7. Move the palms of the wet hands lightly over the head, starting from the top of the forehead to the back of the head, and passing both hands over the back of the head to the neck, and then bringing them back to the forehead.
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| 8. With the same water, rub the grooves and holes of both ears with the wet index fingers, while also passing the wet thumbs behind the ears from the bottom upward.
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| 9. Finally, wash both feet to the ankles three times, starting with the right foot. Make sure that water has reached between the toes and covered the rest of the foot.
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| At the end of the above steps recite: “Ashhadu alla ilaha illallahu, wa ash-hadu anna muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluhu.”
“أشهد أن لا إ له إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، و أشهد أن محمدا عبده و رسوله” This means: “I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His messenger.” |
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What Nullifies Wudu |
| 1. Natural discharges: urine, stool, gas, etc.
2. Falling asleep. 3. Unconsciousness of any kind. |
Note: If you put on your socks, shoes, or sandals (only those that cover most of the foot) while you have a valid Wudu, it is not necessary to take them off every time you need to renew your Wudu. You can leave them on and wipe the top of each covered foot once with wet hands in place of washing the entire foot. You may do this up to twenty-four hours, or for three days if you are on travel.
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