Sunnah Method of Performing Wudu According to Authentic Hadith

The Sunnah Method of Performing Wudu According to Authentic Hadith


Adapted from: “Mukhtaṣar Ṣaḥīḥ Namāz-e-Nabawī ﷺ – Takbīr Taḥrīmah to Salām” by Shaykh Zubair ʿAlī Zaʾī رحمه الله

1. Begin with “Bismillāh”​

The Prophet ﷺ said:


"لا وضوء لمن لم يذكر اسم الله عليه"
“There is no wudu for the one who does not mention the name of Allah upon it.”
(Sunan Ibn Mājah, 397 – ḥasan; al-Ḥākim, 1/147)


He ﷺ also instructed:


“Perform wudu with Bismillāh.”
(al-Nasā’ī, 78 – authentic)

2. Use Pure Water​

Allah says:


﴿فَلَمْ تَجِدُوا مَاءً فَتَيَمَّمُوا صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا﴾ (al-Nisā’: 43, al-Mā’idah: 6)


Warm water is permissible (reported from Ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما in Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah, authentic).
Note: Wudu with drinks like nabīdh, milk, or juice is not valid.

3. Use Miswāk​

The Prophet ﷺ said:


“If it were not for difficulty upon my Ummah, I would have ordered them to use miswāk with every prayer.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 887; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 252)

4. Wash Both Hands Three Times​

(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 159; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 226)

5. Rinse Mouth and Nose Three Times​

It is best to do both with a single handful of water (Bukhārī, 191; Muslim, 235), though doing them separately is also permissible.

6. Wash the Face Three Times​

(Bukhārī, 159; Muslim, 226)

7. Wash Both Arms to the Elbows Three Times​

(Bukhārī, 159; Muslim, 226)

8. Wipe the Entire Head Once​

Using both hands, move from the front of the head to the back of the neck, then return to the front (Bukhārī, 185; Muslim, 235).

• One time is Sunnah (Abū Dāwūd, 111 – authentic)
• Three times also reported (ḥasan – Abū Dāwūd, 101)

9. Wipe the Ears Once​

Ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما would insert index fingers into the ears and wipe the outer part with thumbs (Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah, authentic).
Note: Wiping the neck after the head and ears has no authentic proof.

10. Wash Both Feet to the Ankles Three Times​

(Bukhārī, 159; Muslim, 226)

11. Perform Khilāl (Interlacing)​

• Fingers of hands and toes of feet (Abū Dāwūd, 142 – ḥasan)
• Beard khilāl (al-Tirmidhī, 31 – ḥasan ṣaḥīḥ)

12. Duʿā’ After Wudu​

Recite:


"أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ"
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 234/17)

13. Actions That Break Wudu​

• Urination or defecation
• Deep sleep
• Pre-seminal fluid (madhī)
• Touching the private part with the hand (Abū Dāwūd, 181 – authentic)
• Eating camel meat (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 360)

Summary:
The Sunnah wudu begins with Bismillāh, follows the sequence of washing and wiping as described in authentic hadith, includes khilāl of fingers, and concludes with the duʿā’ of testimony. There is no Sunnah for making duʿā’ during wudu, wiping the neck, or pointing to the sky afterwards.