My First Memory of Wudu – An Anecdote

I spent my childhood in a small town in Uttar Pradesh. The mosque there was small, but the atmosphere was spiritual. I remember the first time my father took me to learn Wudu, I was nervous. As is the way with any small child, I playfully spilled more than half of the water. My father laughed and said, “Son, Allah has given me water not to be wasted, but to be cleansed.” How To Perform Wudu In Islam

From that day on, it was the first lesson in my life that Wudu is not just a routine before prayer, but a way to connect with Allah.

Perhaps it has happened to you too that while performing Wudu, you suddenly wondered, “Did I do it correctly?” So let’s make this journey easy and heartfelt.

Why is Wudu important?

Sometimes people ask, “Is wudu only for prayer?”
The answer is, yes, it is for prayer, but it is much more than that.

The Quran clearly states:
“O you who believe! When you stand up for prayer, wash your face and hands up to the elbows, and wipe your head and wash your feet up to the ankles.” (Surah Maidah: 6)

Look, this isn’t just a process of cleansing. It’s a preparation for worship, where a person is about to speak directly to their Lord. Just as someone dresses up and gets ready before an important interview, wudu is a preparation to present our souls before Allah.

And yes, it also has health benefits. Washing your face can remove half of the fatigue of the day. Cleaning your fingers and feet removes tiny bacteria. This means that wudu not only purifies us but also makes us healthy.

Intention – A Matter of the Heart

Wudu always begins with intention. But remember, intention doesn’t mean you have to say it out loud – “I intend to perform wudu.”

No. Intention is in the heart.

Just think – “O Allah, I intend to become pure for Your worship.”

Even without speaking, Allah knows the state of your heart.

I remember, as a child, I would always recite my intention aloud so that my father would think I was serious. But now I understand that intention is not for show, but is the truth of the heart.

Step-by-Step Method of Performing Wudu

(1) Washing Hands

Wash both hands up to the wrists three times. Make sure water reaches between the fingers.

Once, I performed wudu quickly and later realized that no water reached between the fingers. I felt so guilty after the prayer that I never neglected it again.

(2) Gargling Your Rinses

Flush your mouth with water three times and clean it.
If you’re fasting, do it carefully so that the water doesn’t get into your mouth.
I always feel like the fatigue and burden of the day is being released while gargling.

(3) Nose Washing

Gently pour water into your nose and clean it three times.
This step seems a little difficult, especially for children. But believe me, afterward, I feel a distinct sense of freshness.

(4) Face Washing

Wash your entire face, from forehead to chin and from ear to ear, three times.
This is the most important part of wudu.
Washing your face always feels as if all the small sins are being washed away with the water.

(5) Hand Washing

First your right hand, then your left hand. Three times, up to the elbow.

If you’re wearing a ring or bracelet, shake it slightly to let the water flow down.

(6) Head Wiping

Wipe the entire head once with wet hands.

This step is so relaxing that it feels as if the mind has become lighter.

(7) Ear Wiping

Wipe inside and outside the ears with your fingers.

Sometimes people forget this, but it is also Sunnah.

(8) Feet Washing

Finally, wash both feet up to the ankles.

Remember, the water should reach between the heels and the toes.

A hadith states that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Fire is for those heels that remain unwashed.” (Bukhari)

Common Mistakes in Wudu

• Rushing and skipping steps.
• Wasting water.
• Not allowing water to reach the toes and ankles.
• Considering Wudu as a burden, when it is a relief.

I myself have done this many times, skipping a step or two in a hurry. But now I understand that this is preparation for standing before Allah – how can it be done in a hurry?

The Spiritual Refreshment You Feel During Wudu

Have you ever noticed that after performing Wudu, the burden on your heart is lightened?
I often feel as if Wudu cleanses not only the body but also the mind and heart. When I wash my face with cold water, I feel as if all fatigue has been washed away.

There is a famous Hadith:
“When a Muslim performs Wudu and washes his face, the sins committed by his mouth are washed away with the water. When he washes his hands, the sins committed by his hands are washed away with the water.” (Muslim)

Imagine, if every drop of water is washing away our sins, then how light Wudu must make us feel inside.

Benefits of Wudu – Both Worldly and Hereafter

(1) Spiritual Benefit

Preparation for prayer is complete.
It is a means of forgiveness for sins.

It refreshes and soothes the heart.

(2) Health Benefits

• Rinsing the mouth improves oral hygiene.
• Cleansing the nose reduces colds.
• Washing the face keeps the skin fresh.
• Washing hands and feet removes bacteria.

(3) Social Benefits

Wudu keeps us clean and fresh, which has a positive impact on others.
Have you ever noticed that people who come to the mosque after freshly performing wudu have a different glow on their faces? This is not just cleanliness, but the radiance of the soul.

Importance of Wudu in the Quran and Hadith

Quran:
“Indeed, Allah loves those who repent and keep clean.” (Surah Al-Baqarah: 222)

Hadith:
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“Whoever performs ablution properly and stands up for prayer, Allah forgives even his minor sins.” (Bukhari, Muslim)

This means that ablution is not merely an external cleansing; it is the easiest and most loving way to become closer to Allah.

Minor Negligences During Ablution

• Excessive Water Waste:

The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught not to waste water in ablution, even if it is by the river.

These days, we leave the tap running – this is not correct.

• Failing to Follow the Proper Sequence:

Many people wash their hands and feet in a hurry, but do not follow the correct sequence. Remember, in Islam, everything has its own order.

• Considering it just a habit:

Sometimes we make wudu so routine that we lose the intention and feeling.
In fact, with every step, we should think that it is washing away sins.

Wudu and Our Daily Life

Wudu isn’t just performed before prayer.
Many people perform wudu simply to fulfill their obligation, but if you make it a habit, it will transform your life.

• When you feel angry, perform wudu – the Hadith states that performing wudu in anger cools the heart.
• If you feel tired while traveling, perform wudu – it will instantly recharge your energy.
• Perform wudu before bed – this is also Sunnah, and it helps induce deep and restful sleep.

My own experience is that whenever I feel troubled, I perform wudu and recite Tasbih. To be honest, it feels as if the burden of the entire world has been lightened.

What things break a wudu?

If certain circumstances arise after performing a wudu, it becomes obligatory to perform a new wudu.

Common things that break a wudu:

• Urinating or defecating.
• Passing gas.
• Falling asleep.
• Losing consciousness (fainting).
• Excessive bleeding or pus.
• Vomiting a mouthful.

Sometimes people think that laughing breaks a wudu. In reality, only laughing during prayer breaks a wudu, not outside prayer.

I remember praying with friends in a mosque. The imam’s voice was a little heavy, and my friend couldn’t stop laughing. The prayer was ruined, and the wudu was also broken. Remembering this incident still brings a smile, but that day I learned an important lesson: no pranks or jokes in a mosque.

Common questions and issues related to wudu

• Can wudu be performed while wearing shoes?

Yes, if wiping over socks or shoes is permitted. The condition is that the socks are clean and have already been worn in a state of wudu.

• Will wudu be performed if makeup or nail polish is applied?

No. If there is a waterproof layer blocking water, wudu will not be valid.

• What should be done if a wound is bandaged?

Washing (wiping) the area with a wet hand is sufficient.

These issues are important because such situations often arise in our daily lives and cause confusion.

How to teach wudu to children?

Teaching wudu to children is a very loving and challenging task.

I used this trick when teaching my younger brother:

• I made each step a game.
• When he washed his hands, he would say, “Let’s get all the dirty germs out of our hands.”
• While washing his face, he would say, “We have to drive away the little devils hiding here.”

Teach children in a fun way. If you scold them, they’ll get bored. But if you make it a game, wudu will become a habit.

The Deep Connection Between Wudu and Worship

Wudu is not just for prayer, but is the gateway to every act of worship.

• Before reciting the Quran.
• Before Tawaf (circumambulation of the Kaaba).
• While praying.

Once I asked my teacher, “Can’t prayer be performed without wudu?”

He smiled and said, “Wudu can be performed at any time, but praying with wudu is like attending a guest wearing nice clothes.”

Conclusion – Make Wudu a practice of worship, not a habit.

In conclusion, I would like to say this: Wudu is not a burden. It is a gift from Allah.

Every time we perform Wudu, we wash away our sins, refresh our hearts, and prepare to stand before Allah.

If we perform Wudu with the right intention and feeling, it will become the most cherished part of our lives.

FAQs About How To Perform Wudu In Islam

Q1. Can one perform Wudu just once to pray throughout the day?

If Wudu is not broken, then yes, one can perform multiple prayers with the same Wudu.

Q2. Can one touch the Quran without Wudu?

No, Wudu is necessary to touch the Holy Quran.

Q3. What should one do if there is no water?

In such a situation, Tayammum can be performed.

Q4. Can one gargle and clean one’s nose during ablution while fasting?

Yes, but be very careful so that water does not enter the stomach.

Q5. Is it necessary to perform ablution before going to sleep?
It is not obligatory, but it is Sunnah. It promotes deep and restful sleep.