Wazu (also spelled wudu) is a form of ritual purification in Islam. It is a necessary act before offering salah (prayer), reciting the Quran, and performing other forms of worship.
This guide will explain what Wazu is, when it is required, and how to do it step by step according to authentic Islamic teachings. Also recite dua for love back.
What Is Wazu?
Wazu means washing specific parts of the body with clean water in a prescribed way. It is a physical and spiritual preparation for worship. The command for wazu comes from the Quran: Also recite dua to make someone love you.
“يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ فَاغْسِلُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى الْمَرَافِقِ وَامْسَحُوا بِرُءُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ”
“O you who believe! When you rise for prayer, wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, and wipe your heads and (wash) your feet up to the ankles…”(Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:6)
This verse is the main source of the rules for wazu in Islam.
When Is Wazu Required?
Wazu is required before:
- The five daily prayers (Salah)
- Touching or reading the Quran
- Performing Tawaf around the Kaaba
Without wazu, salah is not valid. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“لَا يُقْبَلُ اللَّهُ صَلَاةَ أَحَدِكُمْ إِذَا أَحْدَثَ حَتَّى يَتَوَضَّأَ”
“Allah does not accept a prayer without purification.”(Sahih Muslim)
Conditions for Valid Wazu
To perform wazu correctly, certain conditions must be met:
- Clean water should be used (not impure or contaminated).
- Niyyah (intention) must be present in the heart. It does not have to be spoken out loud.
- All required body parts must be washed properly.
- No barriers (like waterproof makeup or nail polish) should cover the skin.
How to Do Wazu: Step-by-Step Guide
Here are the steps of Wazu as practiced by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):
1. Make Niyyah (Intention)
Begin with the intention in your heart that you are performing wazu to purify yourself for prayer.
2. Say “Bismillah”
This is the wazu karne se pehle ki dua (the dua to begin wazu). Simply say:
“Bismillah” (بِسْمِ ٱللّٰهِ ): In the name of Allah.
3. Wash Both Hands
Wash both hands up to the wrists three times, starting with the right hand.
4. Rinse the Mouth
Take water into the mouth using the right hand and rinse it three times.
5. Clean the Nose
Take water into the nostrils using the right hand, sniff it in lightly, and then blow it out with the left hand, three times.
6. Wash the Face
Wash the entire face from the forehead to the chin and from one ear to the other, three times.
7. Wash the Arms
Wash the arms up to and including the elbows, first the right arm, then the left, three times each.
8. Wipe the Head (Masah)
Wet your hands and wipe the head once, starting from the front to the back and then back to the front.
9. Wipe the Ears
With the same wet hands, use your index fingers to wipe the inside of the ears and your thumbs for the outside, once.
10. Wash the Feet
Wash the feet up to and including the ankles, first the right foot, then the left, three times each. Make sure water reaches between the toes.
The Four Important Things You Must Do in Wudu (Wazu ke Faraiz):
- Wash your face.
- From your forehead (where the hair starts) to your chin, and from one ear to the other.
- Wash your arms up to the elbows.
- Wash both arms properly, starting from your hands and extending up to and including your elbows.
- Wipe part of your head.
- Wet your hands and wipe at least a quarter (1/4) of your head.
- Wash your feet up to the ankles.
- Wash both feet well, including the ankles.
Dua Before Wazu
This is the wazu se pehle ki dua (dua before performing wazu):
Translation: “In the name of Allah, the most merciful, the most kind.”
Dua After Wazu
This is the wazu karne ke baad ki dua (dua after performing wazu):
Translation: “I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone; He has no partner. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.”(Tirmidhi 55)
This is also commonly known as the wazu karne ki dua, and it brings great reward. According to hadith, whoever recites this dua after wuzu will have the doors of Paradise opened for them. Also, recite dua to get love back.
Sunnah Acts of Wazu
These are practices the Prophet (peace be upon him) regularly performed:
- Using miswak to clean the teeth before or during wuzu.
- Starting with the right side in all actions.
- Not wasting water even when abundant.
- Performing wazu in order, as shown above.
What Breaks Wazu?
Wazu becomes invalid if:
- Anything comes out from the private parts (urine, stool, gas).
- Deep sleep occurs (where awareness is lost).
- Loss of consciousness (e.g., fainting).
- Touching private parts without a barrier (as per some opinions).
Whenever wazu breaks, it must be renewed before performing acts of worship again.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not washing body parts completely.
- Washing out of order.
- Not making an intention.
- Using too much or too little water.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) disliked wasting water, even at a river.
Wazu in Special Situations
- Tayammum is a dry purification with clean earth when water is not available.
- Wazu for the elderly or sick: If a person cannot use water due to illness, tayammum is allowed.
- Women in menstruation are not required to perform wuzu until their cycle ends.
Benefits of Doing Wazu Regularly
- Maintains physical cleanliness.
- Purifies the soul.
- Helps prepare the mind for prayer.
- A source of maghfirat (forgiveness).
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“When a Muslim performs wudu… his sins are washed away from his body, even from under his nails.”(Sahih Muslim) Also recite dua to make husband listen.
This shows that regular wazu not only prepares a person for worship but also serves as a continuous form of purification and dua for maghfirat.
Final Thoughts
Wazu is not just about washing the body; it is a form of spiritual preparation and submission to Allah.
Performing it correctly helps maintain both physical cleanliness and spiritual awareness.
Reciting the right wazu shuru karne ki dua and being mindful during each step strengthens our connection to Allah and our commitment to living a clean and sincere life.
