بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيم
Wuḍūʾ (Arabic: الوضوء) is the procedure for cleansing parts of the body, a type of purification, or ablution. The 4 farḍ (mandatory) acts of Wudu consist of washing the face, arms, wiping the head, and finally washing the feet with water.
Wudu is an integral part of purity in Islam. It is governed by fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), which specifies rules concerning hygiene and defines the procedures that constitute it.
It is typically performed before prayers (salah). Activities that invalidate wudu include urination, defecation, flatulence, deep sleep, light bleeding, menstruation, postpartum and intercourse.
Wudu is often translated as ‘partial ablution’, as opposed to ghusl as ‘full ablution’, where the whole body is washed. It also contrasts with tayammum (‘dry ablution’), which uses sand or dust in place of water, principally due to water scarcity or other harmful effects on the person. Purification of the body and clothes is called taharah.