Method of Performing Wudu (Ablution)

Source: Derived from the rulings in the book 500 Questions and Answers for Women, translated by Hafiz Abdullah Saleem.

Question:
What is the correct method of performing Wudu (ablution)?

Answer:
The method of Wudu (ablution) as per Shariah is divided into two parts:

1. Obligatory (Fard) Part of Wudu:​

This is the part without which Wudu is invalid, and it is based on the following Quranic verse:

"يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ فَاغْسِلُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى الْمَرَافِقِ وَامْسَحُوا بِرُءُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ"

(“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.”)

[Surah Al-Ma’idah: 6]
The obligatory steps are as follows:

1. Wash the face once, which includes rinsing the mouth (madmadah) and cleaning the nose (istinshaq).
2. Wash both hands up to the elbows once, ensuring the entire hand, including the palms, is washed.
3. Perform masah (wiping) over the head once.
4. Wash both feet up to the ankles once.

2. Recommended (Sunnah) Part of Wudu:​

The recommended actions enhance the reward and completeness of Wudu. These are:

1. Start with Bismillah: Say "Bismillah" at the beginning.
2. Wash both palms three times.
3. Rinse the mouth and nose thoroughly three times using three handfuls of water.
4. Wash both hands up to the elbows three times, starting with the right hand.
5. Perform masah of the head: Wet your hands and wipe them from the front of the head to the back and return them to the front.
6. Wipe the ears: Insert your index fingers into the ear canals and wipe the outer part with your thumbs.
7. Wash both feet up to the ankles three times, starting with the right foot.
8. Recite the supplication after completing Wudu:
   
   "أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ، اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِي مِنَ التَّوَّابِينَ وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنَ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ"
   (“I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, alone without a partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. O Allah, make me among those who repent and purify themselves.”)
   [Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 55]

Virtue of Completing Wudu Correctly:​

Performing Wudu in this manner and reciting the supplication guarantees the opening of all eight gates of Paradise, allowing the person to enter through any gate they choose. This virtue is authentically narrated from the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), as reported by Umar (رضي الله عنه).

Wallahu A'lam (And Allah knows best).