Wudu: the Qur’anic foundation
Qur’an 5:6 directs believers preparing for prayer to wash the face and arms to the elbows, wipe the head, and wash the feet to the ankles. Learn a full practical demonstration with a teacher, including intention, order, and the details followed in your school. Wudu is different from an ordinary shower.
A simple practice checklist
Have clean water ready. Learn washing the hands, rinsing the mouth and nose, washing the face and arms, wiping the head, and washing the feet. This list helps you remember the movements; schools differ over which details are obligatory or recommended, and over what breaks wudu.
When a full bath is needed
Ghusl is a full ritual bath, including for major ritual impurity. Scholars differ over whether a bath specifically on entering Islam is obligatory or recommended. A bath is not a condition for entering Islam. Ask a teacher how to perform ghusl and when it applies to you.
When water cannot be used
The same verse discusses tayammum when the relevant conditions apply. Illness, inability to use water, and special situations need appropriate guidance. Learn the concession that fits your circumstances rather than harming yourself or abandoning prayer.
Read the sources here
Qur’an buttons open the local text and translation. Hadith and scholarly notes are authored summaries, with the collection or source identified.