Wudu/Ablution - Cleansing of the Body and Spirit: Islamic Purification

Wudu is essential before offering any of the obligatory prayers. This is done in 9 steps:

1. Make the intention/blessing. Wash both hands three times.
2. Rinse mouth with a handful of water 3 times.
3. Sniff water into the nostrils 3 times.
4. Wash face 3 times from right ear to left ear.
5. Wash the right arm, then the left 3 times each.
6. Wash over head from forehead to neck just once.
7. Rub wet fingers into the grooves of the ears.
8. Pass over nape of neck with wet hands.
9. Wash both feet to the ankles 3 times.

Muslims do not have to re-make their wudu five times a day if they do not break their purification. This particular form of ablution can be preformed anywhere where there is clean water asnd does not necessitate a large quantity of water. At most mosques/masjids there is a wudu station that looks like a bench with a faucet and basin in front. However, wudu can be done at a sink, bathtub, or just with 1 cup of water, as the Prophet Muhammad had done on occasion, as not to waste water.

According to Sawar, acts that would break the purification are: going to the bathroom, passing gas, blood or pus flow from any part of the body, vomiting, and falling asleep.