Wudu (the washing before prayer) prepares you for salah in about two minutes. The Quran itself names the four essential parts: face, arms to the elbows, head, and feet to the ankles (Quran 5:6). The Prophet's practice, recorded in Bukhari and Muslim, fills in the order and the details below. All four schools of law agree on these essentials; they differ only in small matters such as how much of the head to wipe. You do not need to repeat wudu for every prayer; it lasts until something breaks it.
the steps, in order
- 1 Intend wudu in your heart, and begin with bismillah.
- 2 Wash your hands to the wrists, three times.
- 3 Rinse your mouth, three times.
- 4 Sniff water into your nose and blow it out, three times.
- 5 Wash your whole face, hairline to chin, three times.
- 6 Wash your right arm to the elbow three times, then the left.
- 7 With wet hands, wipe your head once, then your ears.
- 8 Wash your right foot to the ankle three times, then the left.
what breaks wudu?
Using the toilet, passing wind, and deep sleep break wudu by agreement of all schools. Once broken, simply repeat it before the next prayer. Light sleep while seated, and minor bleeding, are judged differently between schools. If it matters to you, check your school's position through the source links below.
can i wipe over socks? Schools differ
Yes, if you put them on while in a state of wudu, you may wipe over them instead of washing the feet: for a resident, one day and night; for a traveller, three. The schools differ on what kind of sock qualifies; leather footwear (khuff) is agreed, ordinary socks are accepted by some scholars with conditions.
where this comes from
“No prayer is accepted from one who breaks wudu, until he performs wudu.”
views of the schools
All four schools agree on the four Quranic essentials (face, arms, head, feet) and on washing in order without long gaps.
Mainstream views shown fairly; we never rule one school correct.
Sources
AlAnswer curates and links established scholarship; we do not issue original rulings. Read the full sources for complete context. General education, not a personal ruling. For your specific situation, ask a local scholar.
people also ask
Do I need fresh wudu for every prayer?
No. Wudu lasts until something breaks it. Renewing it anyway is rewarded, but not required.
Does a shower count as wudu?
A full bath (ghusl) made with intention covers wudu. A casual shower without the parts and intention does not automatically count in most schools.
What if I forget a step?
Go back to the missed step and redo from there, since order matters in most schools. If you only remember much later, repeat the wudu.