1. Start by stating your intention, “I intend for this wuḍūʾ to (purify me) for prayer to God. In the name of God, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate.” Or, you can say it in Arabic, “Nawaytul wuḍūʾ li-ṣalāti li-llāhi taʿālā. Bismi-llāhi-r-raḥmāni-raḥīm.”

2. Next, run the water in your sink at the minimum level needed to fully wash your face and arms. The idea here is not to waste water, a precious resource in many areas of the world. Then wash both hands up to the wrist.

3. Rinse the right side of you mouth, swishing it 3 times. Then rinse the left side of your mouth, swishing it 3 times. Lastly, rinse your whole mouth, swishing 3 times.

4. Lightly snort water into your right nostril. Then, lightly snort it into your left nostril. Lastly, snort it into both nostrils at the same time. Don’t snort so hard that it goes into your sinus cavities!

5. Wash your face 3 times.

6. Wash your right hand and right arm 3 times. Wash your left hand and arm 3 times.

7. Run your hand in a straight line from your forehead to the back of your neck. Then run it back from your neck to your forehead. Then run it one more time from your forehead to the back of your neck.

8. Starting at the root of the pinna of your ear (the top part of the ear that connect to your head), wash the outside of your ear in one fluid motion, starting at the top of the ear and going down to the lobe. Do both sides at the same time, using your left hand for your left ear and your right hand for your right ear.

9. Wash your right foot with your left hand. Be sure to wash your entire foot, including the heel, ankle and between your toes. Then wash your left foot with your right hand.

10. State your testification of faith, “I witness that there is nothing worthy of worship except God and that Muḥammad is the slave and messenger of God.” Or in Arabic, “Ash-hadu an lā ʾilāha ʾilla-llāh wa ash-hadu anna Muḥammadan ʿabduhū wa rasūluh.”

Great job!

There are certain situations and activities that invalidate wuḍūʾ, which include:

1. Using the bathroom to relieve oneself.

2. Passing gas.

3. Sexual intercourse.

4. Touching your genitals without a cloth barrier between it and your hand.

Other times wuḍūʾ is recommended, even if you're already in it:

1. When you are angry or upset. It is amazing to see how quickly wuḍūʾ can change your emotional state.

2. Before praying (it creates light upon light).

This is a very holy practice and it is an act of worship in its own right. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about it.