How to Perform Ablution (Short Article)

Steps

  1. 1
    Make intention (niyyah) to perform ablution, and say "Bismillah" (in the name of Allah) before starting ablution.

Intention (niyyah) is an Islamic concept that precedes the performance of an act that God has commanded us (for example, intending to perform ablution that GOD has commanded us to do before praying).
Intention doesn't just include words spoken out loud, you have to focus on your intention and it has to come from within. Say "Bismillah" (in the name of Allah) while intending to make ablution for prayer. If you just intend to wash the body, without the intention to perform ablution that is made to do the prayer, it's not accepted by God.

  1. 1
    Wash your hands. Do this three times. Make sure to wash in between your fingers and all the way up to your wrists.
  2. 2
    Take water into your mouth. Use your right hand to cup water into your mouth three times. Swish it around in your cheeks. Do this thoroughly.
  3. 3
    Inhale water into your nose. Use your right hand to cup water and inhale it into your nose and blow out three times.
  4. 4
    Wash your face. Wash your face three times by spreading your hands from your right ear to the left, and from the hairline to the chin.
  5. 5
    Wash your lower arms from wrists to elbows, leaving no part dry. From your wrist to your elbow, wash your right arm three times and then wash your left arm three times.
    • If you have a cast, you are allowed to simply wipe over it instead.
  6. 6
    Clean your head. This is known as "maseh". Using your wet hands, gently wipe the entire head once, from the forehead to the back of the head, and wipe it again forward from the back of the head to the forehead.
  7. 7
    Wipe your ears inside and out. Use your thumb to clean behind your ears from the bottom upward. This is also done one time.
  8. 8
    Wash both of your feet. Clean up to the ankles and be sure water goes between the toes. Use your pinky finger and go through each toe to eliminate anything between. Start with your right foot and scrub each foot three times.
  9. 9
    Memorize the order. Ablution should be performed one after another (Tarthib), so it is important that you know the order of the steps so that you can follow them accurately.
  10. 10
    Repeat nullified Ablution before praying. Actions that nullify Ablution include natural discharges, including urination, defecation, excessive bleeding, and gas. Deep sleep also nullifies Ablution.
    • After intercourse, re-performing Ablution alone is not enough to be able to perform Salat. There is another form of purification that must be performed known as 'Ghusl'.