Ablution Guide
A concise, traditional walkthrough of how to purify yourself before Salah.
Make a silent intention in your heart to purify yourself for the sake of Allah.
نَوَيْتُ الْوُضُوءَ لِرَفْعِ الْحَدَثِ لِلَّهِ تَعَالَى
Nawaytul-wudu'a li-raf'il-hadathi lillahi ta'ala
"I intend to make ablution to remove impurity, for the sake of Allah the Most High."
Begin by saying:
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ
Bismillah
"In the name of Allah."
Wash both hands up to the wrists, starting with the right, making sure water reaches between the fingers.
Three timesTake water into your right hand and rinse your mouth thoroughly.
Three timesSniff water gently into the nostrils with the right hand, then blow it out with the left.
Three timesWash the entire face from the top of the forehead to the bottom of the chin, and from ear to ear.
Three timesWash the right arm from the fingertips up to and including the elbow, then repeat with the left arm.
Three times eachWet your hands and pass them over your head from the front hairline to the back, then bring them forward again.
OnceWith the same wetness, put your index fingers inside your ears and pass your thumbs behind them.
OnceWash the right foot up to and including the ankle, ensuring water reaches between the toes. Then wash the left.
Three times eachAfter completing wudu, look up to the sky and recite the shahadah:
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah, wahdahu la sharika lah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluh
"I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, with no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger."