Wudu means cleanliness and brightness. But in Islam it refers to washing the face, arms, head and feet with clean water. In other words it is called ablution. It is obligatory before prayer or similar worship acts.

Ablution, i.e. Wudu’

Definition and status

Linguistically speaking, wudu is derived from a root that connotes ‘good looking, cleanliness and brightness’, while in Islamic contexts it means ‘the use of water in respect of four organs, the face, arms, head and feet, in a particular way defined by Islam with the intention of worship.’[1] Performing ablution is obligatory when one wishes to pray or do a similar act of worship, such as tawaf around the Ka'bah.


  1. Al-Bahuti, Kashshaf al-Qina[, vol. 1, p. 91.