COMPLETE GUIDE

Salah & Wudu Guide

Salah is the second pillar of Islam. This guide covers wudu, the five daily prayers, essential duas, sunnah prayers, and common etiquette in comprehensive detail.

Wudu is a prerequisite for prayer. Allah says: 'O you who believe! When you intend to offer prayer, 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)

STEPS OF WUDU

Intention (Niyyah)

fard

Make the intention in your heart to perform wudu for the sake of Allah. The intention does not need to be spoken aloud — it is an act of the heart.

Say Bismillah

sunnah

Begin by saying 'Bismillah' (In the name of Allah). This is the sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Wash Hands Three Times

sunnah

Wash both hands up to the wrists three times, ensuring water reaches between the fingers.

Rinse the Mouth Three Times

fard

Take water in the right hand and rinse the mouth thoroughly three times (Madmadah). Use a miswak or finger to clean the teeth if possible.

Sniff Water into the Nose Three Times

fard

Inhale water into the nostrils with the right hand and expel it with the left hand three times (Istinshaq and Istinthar).

Wash the Face Three Times

fard

Wash the entire face three times — from the hairline to below the chin, and from ear to ear. Ensure water reaches the beard if you have one.

Wash the Arms up to Elbows Three Times

fard

Wash the right arm from fingertips to just above the elbow three times, then the left arm. Ensure no dry spot remains.

Wipe the Head (Masah)

fard

With wet hands, wipe the entire head once — from the forehead to the back of the head and back again.

Wipe the Ears

sunnah

With wet index fingers, wipe the inside of the ears. With wet thumbs, wipe behind the ears. This is done once.

Wash the Feet up to Ankles Three Times

fard

Wash the right foot up to and including the ankle three times, ensuring water passes between the toes. Then wash the left foot likewise.

Dua After Wudu

Muslim 234

أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ، اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِي مِنَ التَّوَّابِينَ وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنَ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ

Ash-hadu an laa ilaaha ill-Allahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa Rasooluhu. Allaahum-maj'alni minat-tawwaabeena waj'alni minal-mutatah-hireen.

I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, with no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. O Allah, make me among those who repent and make me among those who purify themselves.

WHAT BREAKS WUDU

Anything that exits from the private parts (urine, stool, gas)
Deep sleep (lying down or leaning)
Loss of consciousness or sanity
Touching private parts directly without a barrier
Eating camel meat (according to some scholars)
Vomiting a large amount (according to Hanafi scholars)

TAYAMMUM (DRY ABLUTION)

Tayammum is permitted when water is unavailable or using water would cause harm. (Surah An-Nisa 4:43)

Make intention for tayammum in the heart
Say Bismillah and strike both palms on clean earth, sand, or stone
Blow off excess dust from the hands
Wipe the entire face once with both palms
Wipe the right hand and forearm with the left palm, then the left with the right palm

This guide is based on the Quran and authentic Hadith. For detailed rulings, consult a qualified Islamic scholar.