Wudu (Arabic: الوضوء‎) — often called ablution in English — is the Islamic ritual of purification performed before prayer.
Its origins trace back over 1,400 years, to the time of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
The command for Wudu was revealed in the Qur’an, Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:6):
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ فَاغْسِلُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى الْمَرَافِقِ وَامْسَحُوا بِرُءُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ

“O you who believe! When you stand for prayer, wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, and wipe your heads and your feet up to the ankles.”

Wudu is more than a physical act — it’s a spiritual preparation, symbolizing inner and outer purity.
When Muslims perform Wudu, they are cleansing not only their bodies but also their minds and hearts from distractions before standing in front of Allah (SWT).

Historically, Wudu has been a sign of discipline, mindfulness, and unity — a ritual that connects Muslims across all cultures, times, and places in one shared rhythm of worship and cleanliness.