What are the steps of Wudu?

1. Make intention (niyyah). 2. Say Bismillah. 3. Wash hands 3 times. 4. Rinse mouth 3 times. 5. Rinse nose 3 times. 6. Wash face 3 times. 7. Wash right arm to elbow 3 times, then left. 8. Wipe head once. 9. Wipe ears. 10. Wash right foot to ankle 3 times, then left. Recite the Shahada upon completion.

Wudu is broken by: any discharge from private parts (urine, faeces, wind, semen), deep sleep, loss of consciousness, and according to some scholars, vomiting a mouthful and severe bleeding.

💧 Purification guide

Wudu & Ghusl

Q: When is Ghusl required?

Ghusl (full bath) is required after: sexual intercourse, ejaculation, menstruation, post-natal bleeding, and upon converting to Islam. It is also recommended on Fridays and for the two Eids.

Quick Answer

Wudu is ritual ablution before Salah — washing hands, mouth, nose, face, arms, head and feet. Ghusl is a full ritual bath required after major impurity. UK Prayer Times provides step-by-step instructions with duas for both, as taught in the Sunnah.

Last updated 11 August 2026

How to perform Wudu (ablution) and Ghusl (ritual bath) — the purification required before Salah.

How to Perform Wudu (وضوء)

The 6 obligatory steps (Fara'id) of Wudu

1

Niyyah (Intention)

Make the intention in your heart to perform Wudu for the sake of Allah. Say: Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem.
2

Wash Hands

Wash both hands up to and including the wrists, 3 times. Begin with the right hand.
3

Rinse Mouth

Rinse the mouth thoroughly 3 times, swirling the water around.
4

Rinse Nose

Sniff water into the nostrils and blow it out 3 times.
5

Wash Face

Wash the entire face 3 times — from hairline to chin, and from ear to ear.
6

Wash Arms

Wash the right arm from fingertips to and including the elbow, 3 times. Then the left arm.
7

Wipe Head (Masah)

With wet hands, wipe over the head once — front to back and back to front.
8

Wipe Ears

With the remaining water from Masah, wipe inside and behind both ears.
9

Wash Feet

Wash the right foot up to and including the ankle 3 times, between the toes. Then the left foot.

What Breaks Wudu?

✗ Any discharge from private parts (urine, stools, wind, etc.)
✗ Deep sleep where one cannot control the body
✗ Loss of consciousness (fainting, anaesthesia)
✗ Vomiting a mouthful (Hanafi school)
✗ Severe bleeding (Hanafi school)
✗ Laughing aloud during Salah

Ghusl — Full Ritual Bath (غسل)

Ghusl is required when in a state of major impurity (Janabah). It consists of 3 obligatory acts:

1

Rinse Mouth

Rinse the mouth thoroughly so water reaches all parts.
2

Rinse Nose

Sniff water into the nostrils to the soft bone.
3

Wash Entire Body

Pour water over the entire body ensuring no part of the skin remains dry, including the roots of the hair.

When is Ghusl required? After sexual intercourse, ejaculation, menstruation, post-natal bleeding, and upon conversion to Islam. Recommended for Jummah, Eid, and Ihram.

Wudu & Ghusl FAQ

Can I pray without Wudu?

No. Wudu (or Tayammum if water is unavailable) is a precondition for Salah. Prayer performed without Wudu is invalid.

How long does Wudu last?

Wudu remains valid until it is broken by one of the nullifiers. There is no time limit — you may pray multiple prayers with one Wudu as long as it hasn't been broken.

What is Tayammum?

Tayammum is the dry ablution using clean earth or dust when water is unavailable or when using water would cause harm. It is a valid substitute for Wudu and Ghusl in such situations.