Wudu Checklist

The steps, in order

1. Make the intention (niyyah) in your heart to perform wudu.
2. Say “Bismillah” (in the name of Allah).
3. Wash both hands up to the wrists, three times.
4. Rinse the mouth with water, three times.
5. Sniff water into the nostrils and blow it out, three times.
6. Wash the face from hairline to chin and ear to ear, three times. Qur’an 5:6
7. Wash both arms up to and including the elbows, three times, starting with the right. Qur’an 5:6
8. Wipe the head once with wet hands. Qur’an 5:6
9. Wipe the ears, inside and out.
10. Wash both feet up to and including the ankles, three times, starting with the right. Qur’an 5:6

Where this comes from

The steps marked Qur’an 5:6 are the core elements named directly in the Qur’an:

“O you who have believed, when you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles.” (Al-Ma’idah 5:6)

The other steps complete the sequence as it is taught from the Prophet’s example ﷺ. The exact number of times each part is washed, and some finer details, vary slightly between the schools of Islamic law. The sequence here reflects the practice most commonly taught. For questions about your own situation, ask a qualified scholar or teacher.

Practice log

For the printed copy: tick a box each time you make wudu without needing the list.