Wudu, or ablution, is both a traditional ritual and a practical means by which Muslims may seek to maintain good physical and spiritual hygiene. Traditionally, Wudu refers to the mental preparation of Muslims for the Salat (prayer), one of the Five Pillars of Islam.
Steps
Make Niyyah (Intention) to perform Wudhu. Niyyah is the Islamic concept of performing an act for the sake of Allah. To truly perform Wudu, you should center yourself and quiet your thoughts, focusing seriously on what you are doing.
Niyyah doesn’t necessarily involve saying anything out loud, but focusing on the phrase “Bismillah” (In the name of Allah) is a good way to accomplish the centering necessary. Say it out loudly or silently to yourself, whichever makes you comfortable.
Wash your hands. Use your left hand to wash your right hand. Do this three times. After that, use your right hand to wash your left hand three times. Make sure to wash in between your fingers and all the way up to your wrists.
Take water into your mouth. Use your right hand to cup water into your mouth three times. Swish it around in your cheeks and the back of your throat. Do this thoroughly to get all the remaining food in your mouth out.
Inhale water into your nose. Use your right hand to cup water and inhale it into your nose three times. You can use your left hand to close one nostril and blow out if you need to. Snort sharply and abruptly without taking too much water into your nose and choking yourself.
Wash your face. Wash your face three times by spreading your hands from your right ear to the left, and from the edge of the hair to the chin.
Wash your lower arms from wrists to elbows, leaving no part dry. From your wrist to your elbow, wash your right arm with your left hand three times and then wash your left arm with your right hand three times. Make Khilaal, ie pass the fingers of the one hand through the fingers of the other hand.
Wipe your head. Using your wet hands, gently wipe your forehead from the hairline to the back of your head. Also wipe down your hair, the back of your neck. Do this one time.
Wipe your ears inside and out. With the same water, use your finger to clean all the crevices of your ear. Use your thumb to clean behind your ears from the bottom upward. This is also done one time.
Wash each of your feet. Clean up to the 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 rub each foot three times.
Repeat your Wudu after it has been nullified. Actions that nullify Wudu include natural discharges, including urination, defecation, excessive bleeding, and gas. Deep sleep also nullifies Wudu.
After intercourse, re-performing Wudu alone is not enough to be able to perform Salat. There is another form of purification that must be performed known as Ghusul.
Tips
It is always better to clear your bowels and urinate before Wudu. In this way, you will be able to resist the sudden urge to use the washroom after Wudu.
Clear your mind before Wudu, so that you concentrate on Allah.
Also if you cannot stand up due to old age, you can perform the Salaat sitting on a chair.
You must do the steps in the given order and also without long pauses in between steps.
You need water to do the steps above, but if you can’t find any water or if you are sick, you can perform Tayammum. It is a form of purification made with clean dust, earth or sand.
Wipe your neck once with the back of your wet hands before you wash your feet.
It was the practice of the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam to brush his teeth with the Miswaak before performing Wudu.
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