Dua Before and After Wudu: Steps, Significance, and Benefits

Dua Before and After Wudu: Steps, Significance, and Benefits

The Dua before and after wudu are important prayers that enhance the purification process.The Prophet (PBUH) said, “No Salat is accepted without Wudu (purification)” (Sahih Muslim, Book 2, Hadith 2).

Before we can perform salah, we need to prepare ourselves mentally, physically, and spiritually, and a big part of this is wudu. Wudu is a simple purification process where Muslims wash certain parts of their body—like the face, hands, head, and feet—in a specific way. It’s an important step that must be done before prayer, and if it’s skipped due to forgetfulness or neglect, the prayer won’t be accepted by Allah. Wudu is also a beautiful gift from Allah, who promised rewards for doing it properly.

Dua Before and After Wudu in English

Arabic TextTransliterationTranslation
بِسْمِ اللّهِBismillah“In the name of Allah”
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ.Ash-hadu an la ilaha illal lahu wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluh.“I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.”
اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِي مِنَ التَّوَّابِينَ وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنَ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ.Allahuma j‘alnee mina tawabeen waj-‘alnee minal mutatahireen“O Allah, make me among those who repent often, and make me among those who purify themselves.”

Step-by-Step Guide to Performing Wudu

1. Make the Intention

Before starting wudu, mentally intend that you are performing wudu for prayer. No need to speak aloud; just focus your heart and mind on this purification to prepare yourself spiritually and physically for prayer.

2. Say Bismillah

Start by saying “Bismillah” (In the Name of Allah) and recite the dua before wudu

3. Wash Your Hands

Wash both hands from your fingertips to your wrists three times. Start with your right hand, then do the left hand three times.

4. Rinse Your Mouth

Take water in your right hand, rinse your mouth three times, and clean it properly.

5. Clean Your Nose

Take water in your right hand, sniff it into your nostrils, and blow it out three times. Be careful not to take in too much water.

6. Wash Your Face

Wash your entire face three times, from ear to ear and from your forehead to your chin. For men with beards, wet your hands and pass them through the beard as you wash.

7. Wash Your Arms

Wash your right arm up to the elbow three times, starting with the right arm, then do the same for your left arm.

8. Wipe Your Head

Using wet hands, wipe over your head from front to back once.

9. Clean Your Ears

Using the same water, clean your ears by using your index fingers for the inside and your thumbs for behind the ears. Do this once.

10. Wash Your Feet

Wash your right foot up to the ankle three times, including between the toes, and then do the same with the left foot.

11. Recite the Shahada and Dua

Dua after wudu say:

  • “Ash-hadu an la ilaha illal lahu wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluh.”
  • (Translation: “I testify that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His servant and messenger.”)
  • Then, say the dua:
  • “Allahuma j‘alnee mina tawabeen waj-‘alnee minal mutatahireen.”
  • (Translation: “O Allah, make me among those who seek forgiveness and make me among those who purify themselves.”)

When is Wudu Invalid?

• Passing gas

• Urination or passing stool

• Ejaculation

• Falling asleep (if you can’t stay balanced without support)

• Becoming unconscious

• Menstruation or childbirth bleeding for women.

Wudu with Socks or Shoes

If you have wudu and then put on socks or shoes, you don’t need to take them off when it’s time to renew your wudu. Instead, you can wipe over the top of your socks:

• Wet your hands and wipe over the top of your right sock once.

• Do the same for your left sock.

This is what Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to do when he wore socks.

Key Hadiths Related to Wudu and Dua

Rabah bin Abdur-Rahman bin Abi Sufyan bin Huwaitib narrated from his grandmother, from her father; she said (that he said):

“I heard Allah’s Messenger saying: there is no Wudu for one who does not mention Allah’s Name over it.

Jami` at-Tirmidhi 25

Uqba b. ‘Amir reported:

We were entrusted with the task of tending the camels. On my turn when I came back in the evening after grazing them in the pastures, I found Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) stand and address the people. I heard these words of his: If any Muslim performs ablution well, then stands and prays two rak’ahs setting about them with his heart as well as his face, Paradise would be guaranteed to him. I said: What a fine thing is this! And a narrator who was before me said: The first was better than even this. When I cast a glance, I saw that it was ’Umar who said: I see that you have just come and observed: If anyone amongst you performs the ablution, and then completes the ablution well and then says: I testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the servant of Allah and His Messenger, the eight gates of Paradise would be opened for him and he may enter by whichever of them he wishes.

Sahih Muslim 234a

Umar bin Al-Khattab narrated that:

Allah’s Messenger said: ‘Whoever performs Wudu, making Wudu well, then says: (Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah, wahdahu la sharika lahu, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan-abduhu wa rasuluhu, Allahummajalni minat tawwabin, waj’alni minal mutatahhirin) ‘I testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah Alone, there are no partners for Him. And I testify that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. O Allah! Make me among the repentant, and make me among those who purify themselves.’ Then eight gates of Paradise are opened for him, that may enter by whichever of them wishes.

Jami` at-Tirmidhi 55

It was narrated from Simak bin Harb, that Mus’ab bin Sa’d said:

’” ’Abdullah bin ’Umar came to visit Ibn ‘Amir when he was sick and he said: ‘Won’t you supplicate to Allah for me, O Ibn ‘Umar ?’ He said: ‘I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: “No Salat is accepted without Wudu’ (purification), and no charity (is accepted) that comes from Ghulul [1] “ and you were the governor of Al-Basrah.’ “

[1] Goods pilfered from the spoils of war prior to their authorized distribution.

Sahih Muslim 224a

Conclusion

Wudu is a simple yet important act of purification before prayer. It involves washing specific parts of the body and saying prayers to keep you spiritually clean. Understanding how to perform it properly ensures that your prayers are accepted by Allah. Always remember that wudu is a way to prepare both physically and spiritually for the special connection with Allah during prayer.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to comment below. InshaAllah, we will respond to you promptly.

About Me I am Sameena Mohsin—a proud mother, blogger, nutritionist, and health coach. Being a Muslim, I believe it is my duty to share the beauty of Islam and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) with authenticity and simplicity. My journey began in 2018, when I started blogging about Islamic topics. Together with my co-mate, Sania Sajid Kazi, we dedicated ourselves to writing content that highlights the Sunnah and is supported by authentic Hadith.

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