Wudu (Ritual Ablution)
The ritual cleansing with water, required before prayer.
Wudu (Arabic: وضوء) is the ritual ablution with water that is obligatory before one can perform salah (prayer). Wudu is a prerequisite for the prayer's validity and symbolizes both physical and spiritual purification.
Wudu is performed in a specific order: one washes the hands three times, rinses the mouth three times, cleanses the nose three times, washes the face three times, washes the arms to the elbows three times, wipes over the head with wet hands, and washes the feet to the ankles three times.
Wudu is invalidated by certain actions, including using the toilet, sleep, unconsciousness, and bleeding (according to some schools of law). When wudu is broken, one must perform a new wudu before the next prayer.
The Quran says: "O you who believe! When you prepare for prayer, wash your faces and your hands and arms to the elbows, wipe over your heads, and wash your feet to the ankles" (Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:6).
Related terms
Ikhlas (Sincerity)
Pure sincerity in worship — acting solely for the sake of Allah.
Tawhid (God's Oneness)
Islamic monotheism — belief in Allah's absolute oneness, the core of prayer.
Waqt (Prayer Time)
The specific time interval within which a prayer must be performed.
Janamaz (Prayer Rug)
The prayer rug that the worshipper uses to mark a clean prayer area.
Salat al-Jama'ah (Congregational Prayer)
The congregational prayer, where Muslims pray together in rows behind an imam.
Adab al-Salah (Prayer Etiquette)
The recommended norms and inner attitudes that enrich the prayer.