# Wudu & Ghusl — Islamic Purification Guide | UK Prayer Times

> Complete guide to Wudu (ablution) and Ghusl (ritual bathing) — the obligatory purification before Salah.

*Source: https://prayer-times.co.uk/wudu-and-ghusl · Page updated: 2026-08-13 · Independent, free UK prayer times.*

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💧 Purification guide

# Wudu & Ghusl

Quick Answer

Wudu is the ablution required before Salah: wash hands, mouth, nose, face and arms, wipe the head, wash the feet. Ghusl is the full bath after major impurity. Skip this page if you only need today’s prayer times — open your city page. Use tayammum when water is unavailable or harmful.

Who should skip this

This is not a medical or legal ruling. If using water would harm a condition, ask a qualified scholar and a clinician — tayammum exists for that case. School differences (what bleeding breaks wudu) should be taken from your imam, not from a timetable site.

Last updated 13 August 2026

How to perform Wudu (ablution) and Ghusl (ritual bath) — the purification required before Salah.

## How do you perform wudu?

The 6 obligatory steps (Fara'id) of Wudu

1.  1
    
    Niyyah (Intention)
    
    Make the intention in your heart to perform Wudu for the sake of Allah. Say: Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem.
    
2.  2
    
    Wash Hands
    
    Wash both hands up to and including the wrists, 3 times. Begin with the right hand.
    
3.  3
    
    Rinse Mouth
    
    Rinse the mouth thoroughly 3 times, swirling the water around.
    
4.  4
    
    Rinse Nose
    
    Sniff water into the nostrils and blow it out 3 times.
    
5.  5
    
    Wash Face
    
    Wash the entire face 3 times — from hairline to chin, and from ear to ear.
    
6.  6
    
    Wash Arms
    
    Wash the right arm from fingertips to and including the elbow, 3 times. Then the left arm.
    
7.  7
    
    Wipe Head (Masah)
    
    With wet hands, wipe over the head once — front to back and back to front.
    
8.  8
    
    Wipe Ears
    
    With the remaining water from Masah, wipe inside and behind both ears.
    
9.  9
    
    Wash Feet
    
    Wash the right foot up to and including the ankle 3 times, between the toes. Then the left foot.
    

## What breaks wudu?

-   ✗ Any discharge from private parts (urine, stools, wind, etc.)
-   ✗ Deep sleep where one cannot control the body
-   ✗ Loss of consciousness (fainting, anaesthesia)
-   ✗ Vomiting a mouthful (Hanafi school)
-   ✗ Severe bleeding (Hanafi school)
-   ✗ Laughing aloud during Salah

## When is ghusl required, and how is it done?

Ghusl is required when in a state of major impurity (Janabah). It consists of 3 obligatory acts:

1.  1
    
    Rinse Mouth
    
    Rinse the mouth thoroughly so water reaches all parts.
    
2.  2
    
    Rinse Nose
    
    Sniff water into the nostrils to the soft bone.
    
3.  3
    
    Wash Entire Body
    
    Pour water over the entire body ensuring no part of the skin remains dry, including the roots of the hair.
    

**When is Ghusl required?** After sexual intercourse, ejaculation, menstruation, post-natal bleeding, and upon conversion to Islam. Recommended for Jummah, Eid, and Ihram.

## Wudu & Ghusl FAQ

Can I pray without Wudu?

No. Wudu (or Tayammum if water is unavailable) is a precondition for Salah. Prayer performed without Wudu is invalid.

How long does Wudu last?

Wudu remains valid until it is broken by one of the nullifiers. There is no time limit — you may pray multiple prayers with one Wudu as long as it hasn't been broken.

What is Tayammum?

Tayammum is the dry ablution using clean earth or dust when water is unavailable or when using water would cause harm. It is a valid substitute for Wudu and Ghusl in such situations.

How to cite this page

UK Prayer Times. "Wudu and Ghusl." https://prayer-times.co.uk/wudu-and-ghusl.html. Last updated 13 August 2026. Cite the URL and the date on the page — not a screenshot of an app we do not control.

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