Getting ready for prayer: wudu
Islamic Studies · Early Years · The School
Getting ready to talk to Allah
Before salah, Muslims do WUDU. Wudu means washing certain parts with water, in a set order. It gets you ready to stand before Allah. It is not the same as an ordinary wash, and it is done every time, not just when hands look dirty.
What gets washed
Hands first. Then the mouth, rinsed with water. Then the face. Then arms, up to the elbow. Then hair wiped with wet hands. Then ears. Then feet, up to the ankle. The same parts, in the same order, every single time.
Why an order matters
Doing the same parts, in the same order, every time makes wudu easy to remember, even for a young child. Try it yourself with a grown-up. Say each part out loud as you wash it, in order.
Stand by a sink with a grown-up. Wash your hands. Say "hands". Rinse your mouth. Say "mouth". Wash your face. Say "face". Wash your arms to the elbow. Say "arms". Wipe wet hands over your hair. Say "head". Touch your ears. Say "ears". Wash your feet to the ankle. Say "feet". Seven steps, said out loud, in order. Do it again tomorrow, and see if you remember the order without help.