Taharah · Purification

Purification (Taharah): Wudu, Ghusl, Tayammum

Foundational fiqh Practical step-by-step

Salah is an act of worship performed with reverence and cleanliness. Allah has commanded purification before prayer. This page teaches the essentials of wudu (ablution), ghusl (full bath), and tayammum (dry purification when water is unavailable).

From the Qur’an
“O you who believe, when you rise for prayer, wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, wipe over your heads, and wash your feet up to the ankles…”
Qur’an 5:6

This verse establishes the foundation of wudu and the care Islam gives to purification before standing in prayer.

1. What is taharah?

Taharah means purification. It includes removing physical impurity and being in a state of purity required for Salah. This is from the mercy of Allah: He teaches the believer to approach worship with cleanliness, discipline, and honor.

2. Wudu (ablution): obligations & steps

Wudu is required for Salah when a person is not in a state of purity. It is performed with intention in the heart. Saying “Bismillah” at the beginning is recommended.

1
Wash the face
Wash the entire face once (from hairline to chin, and ear to ear).
2
Wash the arms to the elbows
Wash the right arm, then the left, including the elbows.
3
Wipe the head
Wipe over the head (masah) with wet hands.
4
Wash the feet to the ankles
Wash the right foot, then the left, including the ankles and between toes.
Recommended additions: washing the hands at the start, rinsing the mouth and nose, washing each limb three times, and maintaining good order and calmness.
A Prophetic teaching
“Allah does not accept the prayer of any one of you if he has broken wudu until he performs wudu.”
Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim

3. What breaks wudu?

In general, wudu is broken by:

  • anything that exits from the private parts
  • deep sleep that removes awareness
  • loss of consciousness

Some matters have detailed scholarly discussion. For a beginner, focus on the clear causes above and do not fall into excessive doubt.

4. Ghusl (full purification): when and how

Ghusl becomes obligatory after major impurity (janabah), and also after the end of menstruation or postnatal bleeding. It is a complete purification of the body.

1
Intention
Make the intention in your heart to lift major impurity for Allah.
2
Wash the entire body
Ensure water reaches every part of the body, including roots of hair.
Recommended method: begin by washing private areas, perform wudu, then wash the head and the whole body thoroughly.

5. Tayammum: when water cannot be used

Tayammum is a concession from Allah when water is unavailable or harmful to use. It is performed using clean earth (or dust) with intention.

From the Qur’an
“And if you do not find water, then perform tayammum with clean earth, and wipe your faces and hands.”
Qur’an 5:6
1
Intention
Intend in your heart purification for Salah due to lack of water or harm.
2
Touch clean earth (lightly)
Tap both hands lightly on clean earth/dust, then shake off excess.
3
Wipe the face
Wipe your face with your hands.
4
Wipe the hands
Wipe the hands (commonly up to the wrists) as taught in basic fiqh.

6. Practical advice for consistency

  • Keep your wudu as much as you can—this makes prayer easier.
  • Learn slowly, but correctly. Purification is a gate to Salah.
  • Avoid waswas (excessive doubts). Certainty is not removed by doubt.
  • If you have medical issues, ask a reliable scholar for tailored rulings.

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