How to Perform Wudu: A Step-by-Step Guide
A calm, illustrated guide to the ten steps of wudu, from the intention to the dua after wudu.
Updated 25 October 2026
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5 minutestime it takesWudu is the purification a Muslim makes before Salah, and learning how to perform wudu properly is one of the first things every Muslim needs. It is also spelled wuzu or wudhu, and in English it is called ablution.
This free printable walks you through wudu in ten clear steps. Each step has its own illustration, how many times to repeat it, and a short practical note. Every step is marked Fard (obligatory) or Sunnah, so you know exactly what makes wudu valid and what completes it.
The guide ends with the dua after wudu in transliteration and English, and page 2 is a quick-reference chart you can print and keep near the basin.
Step by step
- 1Make the intention
Intend in your heart that this wudu is for Allah, then say Bismillah.
- 2Wash the hands
Wash both hands up to the wrists three times, right hand first, rubbing between the fingers.
- 3Rinse the mouth
Take water in the right hand and rinse the mouth thoroughly, three times.
- 4Rinse the nose
Draw a little water into the nose with the right hand and blow it out with the left, three times.
- 5Wash the face
Wash the whole face three times, from the hairline to below the chin and from ear to ear.
- 6Wash the arms
Wash the right arm up to and including the elbow three times, then the left arm.
- 7Wipe the head
With fresh wet hands, wipe over the head once, from the front to the back.
- 8Wipe the ears
With the same wet hands, wipe inside the ears with the index fingers and behind them with the thumbs, once.
- 9Wash the feet
Wash the right foot up to and including the ankle three times, passing the little finger between the toes, then the left foot.
- 10Recite the dua
Raise the index finger and recite the Shahadah and the dua after wudu.
Fard and Sunnah in wudu
- Fard (obligatory): washing the face, washing both arms including the elbows, wiping at least a quarter of the head, and washing both feet including the ankles.
- Sunnah: the intention, saying Bismillah, washing the hands, rinsing the mouth and nose, using a miswak, wiping the whole head and the ears, and washing each part three times.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving the elbows, heels or ankles dry.
- Forgetting to remove or move rings so water reaches the skin.
- Using more water than needed.
Peek inside
How to use it
Print the chart on page 2 and keep it near your basin. Read one step page at a time and follow the illustration, noting which steps are Fard and which are Sunnah. Learn the dua after wudu from step 10, and practise the full order until it becomes natural.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the steps of wudu in order?
Intention and Bismillah, wash the hands, rinse the mouth, rinse the nose, wash the face, wash the arms up to the elbows, wipe the head, wipe the ears, wash the feet up to the ankles, then recite the dua after wudu.
How many fard acts are in wudu?
Four: washing the face, washing both arms including the elbows, wiping at least a quarter of the head, and washing both feet including the ankles.
How many times should each part be washed?
Washed parts are done three times each, which is the Sunnah. Wiping the head and ears is done once.
What should I say after wudu?
Recite the Shahadah with the index finger raised (Sahih Muslim), and the dua asking Allah to make you among those who repent and purify themselves (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). Both are in the PDF with transliteration and meaning.
Is this guide free to print?
Yes. Download it free in A4 or US Letter, or read it online.
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