Purity is the foundation of worship in Islam. Before offering Salah, touching the Qur’an, or engaging in many acts of worship, a Muslim must be in a state of cleanliness. This is why many people search for how to do wudu, how to make wudu, or wudu steps in order—to ensure their ablution is valid and accepted.
In this complete guide by JH Quran Academy, you will learn how to do wudu step by step, according to the Qur’an and Sunnah, along with common mistakes and important rulings every Muslim should know.
What Is Wudu in Islam?
Wudu is the Islamic method of washing specific parts of the body with clean water in a prescribed order to prepare for worship. Allah commands wudu clearly in the Qur’an:
“O you who believe! When you rise to pray, wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, wipe your heads, and wash your feet up to the ankles.”
(Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:6)
Source: Quran (quran.com)
This verse establishes the obligatory actions of wudu, making it essential knowledge for every Muslim.
How to Make Wudu: Step-by-Step Guide
Below are the wudu steps in order, based on authentic Sunnah.
1. Make the Intention (Niyyah)
The intention is made in the heart only. There is no need to say it aloud. Your intention should be to perform wudu for the sake of Allah.
2. Say Bismillah
Begin by saying:
Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem
This is strongly recommended before starting wudu.
3. Wash Both Hands (Three Times)
Wash both hands up to the wrists three times, ensuring water reaches between the fingers.
4. Rinse the Mouth (Three Times)
Take water into the mouth, swirl it, and spit it out three times.
5. Clean the Nose (Three Times)
Gently sniff water into the nose and blow it out three times.
6. Wash the Face (Three Times)
Wash the entire face—from the hairline to the chin and from ear to ear three times.
7. Wash the Arms Up to the Elbows (Three Times)
Wash the right arm first, then the left, including the elbows.
8. Wipe the Head (Once)
With wet hands, wipe the head once, from front to back and returning.
9. Wipe the Ears (Once)
Using the same moisture, wipe the inside and outside of both ears.
10. Wash the Feet Up to the Ankles (Three Times)
Wash the right foot first, then the left, making sure water reaches between the toes and covers the ankles.
Wudu Steps in Order (Quick List)
For readers searching “wudu in order” or “wudu steps in order”, here is a simple summary:
- Intention
- Bismillah
- Hands
- Mouth
- Nose
- Face
- Arms
- Head
- Ears
- Feet
Following this order is required for a valid wudu.
How Do You Do Wudu According to Sunnah?
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ demonstrated wudu clearly and taught moderation. He said:
“When a Muslim performs wudu properly, his sins leave his body.”
(Sahih Muslim)
Source: Sunnah (sunnah.com)
To perform wudu correctly:
- Follow the correct order
- Wash each part thoroughly
- Avoid wasting water
- Maintain focus and remembrance of Allah
What Breaks Wudu?
Many people ask “what breaks wudu” or “what breaks wudu for a woman.” The rules apply equally to men and women.
Actions That Break Wudu:
- Passing urine, stool, or gas
- Deep sleep
- Loss of consciousness
- Touching private parts directly (difference of scholarly opinion)
- Menstruation or post-natal bleeding (for women)
Understanding these rulings is essential for maintaining purity before prayer.
Common Mistakes During Wudu
- Skipping steps or changing their order
- Not washing elbows or ankles fully
- Performing wudu too quickly
- Using excessive water
Correcting these mistakes improves both the validity and reward of wudu.
Why Learning Wudu Properly Matters
Salah is not accepted without purification. Learning how to make wudu properly ensures that your prayers begin on a sound foundation. This knowledge is especially important for:
- Children
- New Muslims
- Adults seeking to correct their worship
Learn Wudu and Islamic Basics with JH Quran Academy
If you or your child want to:
- Learn how to do wudu step by step
- Understand Salah properly
- Read Qur’an with Tajweed
- Build strong Islamic foundations
JH Quran Academy offers structured online Islamic education with qualified teachers in a supportive learning environment.
Enroll today with JH Quran Academy and begin learning Islam correctly from the basics.
Final Reminder
Wudu is not just physical cleanliness—it is spiritual preparation for standing before Allah. By learning and practicing the correct wudu steps in order, you perfect your worship and strengthen your connection with your Creator.
May Allah accept our purification and prayers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To do wudu correctly, make the intention in your heart, say Bismillah, and wash the required body parts in the correct order: hands, mouth, nose, face, arms, head, ears, and feet. Each step should be performed properly to ensure the wudu is valid.
The wudu steps in order are: intention, Bismillah, washing hands, rinsing mouth, cleaning nose, washing face, washing arms up to the elbows, wiping the head, wiping the ears, and washing the feet up to the ankles.
Each part is washed three times as Sunnah, while wiping the head and ears is done once. Washing once is sufficient for validity, but three times is recommended.
Wudu is broken by passing urine, stool, or gas, deep sleep, loss of consciousness, and menstrual or post-natal bleeding.
The same actions that break wudu for a man also apply to a woman. Additionally, menstruation and post-natal bleeding invalidate wudu.
Yes, intention is necessary, but it is made in the heart only. Saying it aloud is not required.
No. Salah is not accepted without valid wudu. If any obligatory step is missed or done incorrectly, both the wudu and prayer must be repeated.
Yes. With proper guidance, children and beginners can easily learn how to make wudu step by step and practice it correctly.
You can learn how to do wudu correctly, along with Salah and Qur’an recitation, through structured online classes offered by JH Quran Academy.
📌 Enroll with JH Quran Academy to learn Islamic practices correctly from qualified teachers.