What is wudu (ablution) and how is it performed?

Wudu (ablution) is a specific form of purification required for performing certain acts of worship. It consists of washing the hands and arms up to and including the elbows, the face, and the feet up to and including the ankles, as well as wiping a portion of the head.

Regarding wudu, the Qur’an states: “O you who believe! When you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, wipe your heads, and wash your feet up to the ankles… If you cannot find water, then perform tayammum with clean earth.” (al-Ma’ida, 5/6). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) demonstrated to the Muslims how to perform wudu (Ibn Majah, Taharah, 47 [419]; Marghinani, al-Hidaya, 1/16) and also stated that no prayer performed without wudu is accepted by Allah (the Exalted). (Bukhari, Wudu’, 2 [135]; Muslim, Taharah, 2 [225]; Ibn Majah, Taharah, 47 [419])

Wudu is performed as follows, observing its obligatory, recommended, and proper manners:

One makes the intention and says the basmala (“Bismillah”). First, the hands are washed up to the wrists, including between the fingers, three times. Any substance that prevents water from reaching the skin must be removed as much as possible. Rings on the fingers are moved. With the right hand, water is taken into the mouth three times and the mouth is rinsed. Similarly, water is taken into the nose three times and the nose is cleaned. Then the face is washed three times. After that, the right arm including the elbow is washed three times, followed by the left arm in the same way. The right hand is wetted and with the palm and fingers, one-fourth or the whole of the head is wiped once. The hands are wetted again, and the outer part of the ears is wiped with the thumbs, the inner part with the index or little finger, and then the back of both hands is used to wipe the neck. The right foot, including the toes, heel, and ankle, is washed first, followed by the left foot, making sure water reaches between the toes. (Bukhari, Wudu’, 22-24 [157-159]; Muslim, Taharah, 3-6 [226-227]; Kasani, Bada’i, 1/23-25; Ibn Juzayy, al-Qawanin, 19-21)

Source: T.C. Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı, Din İşleri Yüksek Kurulu