SUNAN AL-WUDU — 8 CONFIRMED ACTS

The 8 Sunnah Acts of Wudu — Complete Guide

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever performs Wudu as I performed it, his sins shall fall away.” — Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Ablutions (Kitab al-Wudu’), Hadith 159, graded Sahih

Topic context: The Sunnah acts of Wudu are the acts consistently practised by the Prophet ﷺ beyond the 4 Fard (obligatory) acts. Performing them earns extra reward and constitutes the complete Prophetic Wudu. Omitting them reduces reward but does not invalidate the Wudu. Last reviewed: September 2026.

Bismillah — Saying Allah’s Name

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ

Before beginning Wudu, the Muslim says Bismillah (In the name of Allah). This establishes the act as a conscious act of worship rather than mere physical cleaning. The Hadith evidence: “There is no Wudu for one who does not mention Allah’s name upon it.” — Sunan Abi Dawud, Book of Purification (Kitab al-Taharah), Hadith 101, graded Hasan by al-Albani and Ibn al-Salah; Sunan Ibn Majah, Book of Purification (Kitab al-Taharah), Hadith 399, graded Hasan by al-Busiri — graded Hasan.

Siwak — Using the Tooth-Stick

السِّوَاك

Using Siwak (miswak, the tooth-cleaning stick) at the beginning of Wudu, ideally during Madmada (mouth rinsing). The Prophet ﷺ said: “Were it not that I would be imposing hardship on my Ummah, I would have commanded them to use Siwak with every Wudu.” — Muwatta’ al-Imam Malik, Book of Purification (Kitab al-Taharah), Hadith 153, graded Sahih (Muttasil) by Malik.

Washing Both Hands to the Wrists First

Before beginning the Fard acts, both hands are washed up to the wrists 3 times. This is established in the Uthman narration (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Ablutions (Kitab al-Wudu’), Hadith 159, graded Sahih) as the first act performed. It purifies the hands that will then be used to wash other limbs — a logical sequence the scholars of all madhabs endorse as strongly recommended.

Madmada — Rinsing the Mouth

المَضْمَضَة

Madmada is drawing water into the mouth, swishing it around the entire mouth cavity (including between the teeth), and expelling it — performed 3 times. The mouth is part of the face which the Quran commands to be washed, yet scholars differ on whether the inside of the mouth is included in “washing the face.” The Maliki madhab rules it Wajib; other madhabs rule it Sunnah Mu‘akkadah. Source: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Ablutions (Kitab al-Wudu’), Hadith 159, graded Sahih.

Istinshaq + Istinthar — Nose Rinsing and Blowing

الاِسْتِنْشَاق والاِسْتِنْثَار

Istinshaq is drawing water into the nostrils (sniffing upward). Istinthar is blowing the water back out. Both are performed together, 3 times. The same reasoning as Madmada applies: the inner nose is part of the face. The Hanbali madhab makes this Wajib based on: “When one makes Wudu, let him put water in his nose and blow it out.” — Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Ablutions (Kitab al-Wudu’), Hadith 161, graded Sahih.

Khilal al-Asabi — Interlacing the Fingers and Toes

خِلَال الأَصَابِع

Khilal al-Asabi means passing the wet fingers of one hand between the fingers of the other (when washing arms) and passing the little finger of the hand between the toes (when washing feet). This ensures water reaches the skin between digits. The Prophet ﷺ commanded: “Perform Wudu thoroughly, and pass your fingers between your fingers.” — Sunan Abi Dawud, Book of Purification (Kitab al-Taharah), Hadith 142, graded Sahih by al-Albani; Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Book of Purification (Kitab al-Taharah), Hadith 39, graded Sahih by al-Albani — graded Sahih.

Washing Each Limb 3 Times

The Fard minimum is washing each limb once. The Sunnah is to wash each Fard limb 3 times. Washing more than 3 times is Makruh (disliked) — the Prophet ﷺ rebuked a companion who washed 4 times: “You have done wrong and transgressed.” — Sunan Ibn Majah, Book of Purification (Kitab al-Taharah), Hadith 422, graded Sahih by al-Albani; Ibn Khuzaymah 172. The number 3 is consistent across all four madhabs as the Sunnah number.

Dua After Completing Wudu

أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ

After completing all limbs, recite the Shahada + Dua. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever performs Wudu well and then says: Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluh — the 8 gates of Paradise are opened for him, and he may enter through whichever he wishes.” — Sahih Muslim, Book of Purification (Kitab al-Taharah), Hadith 234, graded Sahih.

Full Dua After Wudu →

Sunnah Act	Hanafi	Maliki	Shafiʿi	Hanbali
Bismillah	Sunnah Mu‘akkadah	Mandub	Sunnah Mu‘akkadah	Wajib
Siwak	Sunnah Mu‘akkadah	Sunnah Mu‘akkadah	Sunnah Mu‘akkadah	Sunnah Mu‘akkadah
Wash hands first	Sunnah Mu‘akkadah	Sunnah Mu‘akkadah	Sunnah Mu‘akkadah	Sunnah Mu‘akkadah
Madmada (mouth rinse)	Sunnah Mu‘akkadah	Wajib	Sunnah Mu‘akkadah	Sunnah Mu‘akkadah
Istinshaq (nose rinse)	Sunnah Mu‘akkadah	Sunnah Mu‘akkadah	Sunnah Mu‘akkadah	Wajib
Khilal al-Asabi	Sunnah Mu‘akkadah	Sunnah Mu‘akkadah	Sunnah Mu‘akkadah	Sunnah Mu‘akkadah
Washing 3x	Sunnah Mu‘akkadah	Sunnah Mu‘akkadah	Sunnah Mu‘akkadah	Sunnah Mu‘akkadah
Dua after Wudu	Sunnah Mu‘akkadah	Sunnah Mu‘akkadah	Sunnah Mu‘akkadah	Sunnah Mu‘akkadah

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