Wudhu & Ghusl | Step by Step Salah

Source-checked sequence: The numbered steps below are based on the wudhu descriptions in Sahih al-Bukhari 159, 164 and 192. Where the reports differ in the recorded number of washes, the difference is stated rather than collapsed into one count. The existing Qur’anic minimums and Hanafi notes below are unchanged.

Wudhu step by step

This sequence follows ʿUthmān’s demonstration of the Prophet’s ﷺ wudhu recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari. The reports describe washing the hands, rinsing the mouth and nose, washing the face and arms, wiping the head, and washing the feet.

Wash both hands three times.
Rinse the mouth and nose. Draw water into the nose and expel it.
Wash the face three times.
Wash the forearms up to and including the elbows. The cited reports describe this twice in one narration and three times in another.
Wipe the head with wet hands. Sahih al-Bukhari 192 describes wiping the head once, moving the hands to the back and then returning them.
Wash both feet up to the ankles. The cited ʿUthmān report describes washing them three times.

Sequence sources: Sahih al-Bukhari 159 · Sahih al-Bukhari 164 · Sahih al-Bukhari 192

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Wudhu

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Qur’an-grounded core

Allah describes the core acts of wudhu in Qur’an 5:6: wash the face, wash the arms to the elbows, wipe the head, and wash the feet to the ankles.

Fiqh note: The detailed minimums and some things that invalidate wudhu differ between the Sunni schools. This guide labels Hanafi-specific points rather than presenting them as universal rules.

Core obligatory actions

Wash the entire face.
Wash both arms, including the elbows.
Wipe the head with wet hands.
Wash both feet, including the ankles.

In the Hanafi school, wiping at least one-quarter of the head fulfils the minimum obligation. Other Sunni schools define the minimum differently. The Prophet ﷺ is also authentically reported to have wiped his head from front to back in his wudhu.

When wudhu is broken

Natural discharge such as urine, stool and passing wind invalidates wudhu. Sleep that removes awareness also requires renewed wudhu.

Hanafi detail: flowing blood or pus and vomiting a mouthful are also treated as nullifiers in Hanafi fiqh. Other Sunni schools differ on these points.

Ghusl

Qur’an 5:6 commands complete purification from janabah. Authentic reports from ʿA’ishah and Maymunah describe the Prophet ﷺ washing his hands, cleaning himself, performing wudhu, wetting the roots of his hair, pouring water over his head and then washing the whole body.

Hanafi detail: In Hanafi fiqh, the obligatory elements of ghusl include rinsing the mouth, rinsing the nose and washing the entire body so no part remains dry. Intention is important for worship, but Hanafi jurists do not list it as a condition for the basic validity of ghusl; other Sunni schools differ.

A clear Sunnah-based sequence

Intend purification and begin with Allah’s name.
Wash the hands and remove any impurity.
Perform wudhu, including rinsing the mouth and nose.
Ensure water reaches the roots of the hair; pour water over the head.
Wash the entire body thoroughly.

Verified sources: Qur’an 5:6 · Sahih al-Bukhari 192 · Sahih al-Bukhari 248 · Jamiʿ at-Tirmidhi 103