How to Perform Ablution (Shia)

Last Updated: December 5, 2022 References

Ablution, or wudu, is a means of purifying yourself to prepare for prayer or worship.^{[1]
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Research source} Without ablution, you cannot read the Qur'an, pray, or make tawaf. This article will teach you how to perform ablution according to the Shia denomination.

Steps

1
Evoke Niyyah. Internally state your intention as, "I am performing Wudhu for the pleasure of Allah, and to seek closeness to Him”.^{[2]
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Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Wash Your Face

1
Remove anything from the face or hands that may prevent water from reaching the skin. This includes items such as a watch/ring or those such as paint or anything which would act as a barrier over the skin.^{[3]
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2
Take a handful of water in the right hand and pour this water over the face from the top (just above the forehead).
3
Using the right hand, wipe the face from the tip of where your hair-line is to the bottom of your chin. The water should reach all parts from the hairline to chin, and the entire horizontal plane of the face within the reach of the span of the hand from the middle finger to the thumb. To ensure that the complete surface of your face has been washed, include a bit of the inner parts of your nose, lips, and eyes in the washing. You do not, however, need to wash the complete inner portion of these parts.
4
Washing your face once as described above is obligatory. A second such washing is recommended while subsequent washings are prohibited.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Wash Your Arms

1
Using the left hand, pour water over the right arm from the elbow to the finger-tips.^{[4]
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- The washing must be done from the elbows to the fingertips and not vice versa.
- Pour water from a little above the elbow to ensure that the whole forearm is covered.
- Wash in such a way that the water penetrates the hair, if any, and reaches the skin.
2
With the same hand, wipe the water over both sides of the arm to ensure that all parts are washed.
3
Repeat for the left arm using the right hand.
4
Washing your arms once as described is obligatory. A second such washing is recommended while subsequent washings are prohibited.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Wipe Your Head

1
Wipe the front most quarter of the head.^{[5]
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Research source} Use the moisture that remains in your right hand. Wipe from the upper part of the head downwards (from the back of the head towards the face). It is recommended to wipe the length of at least one finger. Wiping can be done with one finger only; however it is recommended to use three fingers together (the middle finger, index finger and ring finger). The moisture must reach the scalp. However, if the hair is so short that it can not be combed, it is sufficient to wipe your hair.
- While wiping the head, your hand should not touch your forehead. Doing otherwise will cause the water of the forehead to mix with the wetness of your hands.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Wipe Your Feet

1
Wipe your feet with the moisture that is still on your hands.^{[6]
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2
Wipe starting from the tip of any toe up till the ankle joint. Wipe your right foot with your right hand, and your left foot with your left hand. It is better to wipe at least the width of three joined fingers (the middle finger, index finger and ring finger), and better yet to wipe your entire foot with your entire hand. At the time of wiping the foot, actually pull the hand from toes to the ankle joint (as described above) along the length of the toe-tips till the ankles. Do not just place your whole hand on your foot and pull up a little. Please note that wiping of the feet performed on socks or shoes is not valid except in unusual circumstances.

Community Q&A

Question

What do I have to recite before I make Wudhu?

Community Answer

You can say Bismillah which is in the name of Allah. At the end, recite the kalma and bismillah wal alhamdullilah.
Question

If one has a lot of hair on the head, how can wiping be enough to get water to the roots of the hair? Whenever I do that, the water just remains on my hair, it doesn't flow on the scale except if I take a handful of water. What can I do?

Community Answer

You can wipe your head by soaking your hands and the make a line in the middle of your head and then perform mesah.
Question

If during the course of performing ablution some water dropped on the upper part of my feet, is it compulsory for me to dry it before wiping my feet with the wetness of my hand?

Community Answer

The foot skin needs to be dried, before performing masaḥ. If you are wearing a sock, then you don't have to dry it unless the majority of the sock is wet down to the skin.

Warnings

Make sure that the water is clean; not mixed, or changed its colour and smell.

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Make sure that the water is obtained from a lawful way, and not stolen.

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Make sure that the floor is dry, and every part that will be washed is dry.

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Avoid these things when doing Wudhu:
- Urine
- Feces
- Semen
- Deceased
- Blood which squirts from the animal
- Dogs
- Pigs
- Alcohol and all intoxicants
- Perspiration of that animal which eats filth
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