How to Perform Wudu

• Say "Bismillah" in the Name of Allah)

• Wash hands 3 times

o Use left hand to wash right hand, up to and including the wrist, 3 times.
o Then, use right hand to wash left hand, up to and including the wrist, 3 times.

• Rinse water in mouth 3 times

Cup right hand with water and put in mouth, then spit it out, 3 times.

• Snuff water in nose 3 times

• Wash face 3 times

The portion of the face to be washed is from the forehead (from the point where the hair starts growing), to the end of the chin in length and its width is as much of the face that comes between the thumb and the middle finger when they are spread (wide open).

Even if the small portion of the face is not washed, Wudhu will be void. As a precaution, one must wash a little bit beyond the required limit. Any dirt on the face (or hands) which may prevent water from reaching the skin must be removed before you start the wudhu.

The face and hands should be washed from above downwards, and if one washes the opposite way, his Wudhu will be void.

• Wash forearms 3 times

Wipe right forearm with left hand, all the way up to and including the elbow, 3 times.
Wipe left forearm with right hand, all the way up to and including the elbow, 3 times.

• Wipe water over head/hair 1 times

It has been recorded that the Prophet used to wipe his head three different ways:

1. Wiping all of his head. 'Abdullah ibn Zaid reported that the Prophet wiped his entire head with his hands. He started with the front of his head, then moved to the back, and then returned his hands to the front.

2. Wiping over the turban only.

• Said 'Amru ibn Umayyah, "I saw the Messenger of Allah wipe over his turban and shoes." (Related by Ahmad, al-Bukhari and Ibn Majah).
• Bilal reported that the Prophet said, "Wipe over your shoes and head covering." (Related by Ahmad.)
• Umar once said, "May Allah not purify the one who does not consider wiping over the turban to be purifying." Many hadith have been related on this topic by al-Bukhari, Muslim and others. Most of the scholars agree with them.

3. Wiping over the front portion of the scalp and the turban. Al-Mughirah ibn Shu'bah said that the Messenger of Allah, upon whom be peace, made ablution and wiped over the front portion of his scalp, his turban and his socks. (Related by Muslim.) There is, however, no strong hadith that he wiped over part of his head, even though al-Ma'idah: apparently implies it. It is also not sufficient just to wipe over locks of hair that proceed from the head or along the sides of the head.

If you are a female and a non-mahram male (or non-Muslim who you believe may describe you to others) may see you (such as in a public bathroom, etc.), do not remove your hijab or niqab... keep it on and wipe over it.

• Wipe the inside and back of ears 1 time

o Wash both ears at the same time

• Wash feet

* Wash right foot, including the ankle, with left hand, 3 times.
* Wipe between each toe on right foot, with left hand pinky, 1 time.
* Wash left foot, including the ankle, with right hand, 3 times.
* Wipe between each toe on left foot, with right hand pinky, 1 time.

- Once the Prophet remained behind us in a journey. He joined us while we were performing ablution for the prayer which was over-due. We were just passing wet hands over our feet (and not washing them properly) so the Prophet addressed us in a loud voice and said twice or thrice: "Save your heels from the fire." [Bukhari 1:164, Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Amr]
--"...and then he washed his feet up to the ankles." [Bukhari 1.186, narrated Amr]