Ablution (wudu) is necessary for all Muslims before offering salah (daily prayer) and recite the Quran. Moreover, it is mustahab for Muslims to always be in a state of wudu. The act of cleaning ourselves physically while simultaneously purifying our spirits is beloved by Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى).
Reciting dua after wudu is the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). This simple yet essential tradition is reported in Jami` at-Tirmidhi (55) and Bulugh al-Maram (58), as well as in many other hadiths, which underscores its importance.
Prayer Duas
'Ash-hadu 'an laa 'ilaaha 'illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu wa 'ash-hadu 'anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa Rasooluhu.
I bear witness that none has the right to be worshiped but Allah alone, Who has no partner; and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger.
Allaahummaj'alnee minat-tawwaabeena waj'alnee minal-mutatahhireen.
O Allah, make me among those who turn to You in repentance, and make me among those who are purified.
Subhaanaka Allaahumma wa bihamdika, 'ash-hadu 'an laa 'ilaaha 'illaa 'Anta, 'astaghfiruka wa 'atoobu 'ilayk.
Glory is to You, O Allah, and praise. I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but You. I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance.
The following hadith narrated by Umar bin al-Khattab (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ), states that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Whoever performs Wudhu properly, then says:
Dua after wudu: Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah, wahdahu la sharika lahu, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan-abduhu wa rasuluhu, Allahummajalni minat tawwabin, waj'alni minal mutatahhirin
Translation: 'I testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) Alone, there are no partners for Him. And I testify that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. O Allah! Make me among the repentant, and make me among those who purify themselves.'
Then all eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him so that he may enter by whichever of them he wishes.”
This dua points to three important aspects, i.e., it reiterates our fundamental belief of the oneness of Allah, requests that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) help us in repentance, and asks for spiritual and moral cleanliness. By reciting this dua after wudu, the believer is asking Allah to stay spiritually pure and humble.
The dua transforms wudu, which is just an act of cleanliness, into an act of worship and earning rewards. Wudu becomes a source of internal cleansing, requesting that Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) purify our hearts just like our bodies are being cleaned and guide us toward enduring repentance. It also reminds us that prayer and cleanliness always go together, as cleanliness and prayers both bring us closer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), and closeness to Him will open the door to Paradise.
It is advisable to say this dua as soon as you finish doing wudu before being distracted by anything else. After you've washed the necessary parts, which include hands, mouth, face, arms, head, ears, and feet, you recite the dua with your limbs still wet.
This is according to the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and makes an ordinary act of washing turn into a time of spiritual introspection and worship.
After completing the ablution well, recite the Shahadah and then the dua, as said by Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), narrated by Umar bin al-Khattab (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) in Jami` at-Tirmidhi 55. (Be mindful of not reciting the dua inside the bathroom, but note that it is okay when/if you're in the designated area for wudu (wudu khana).
Narrated Nu`am Al-Mujmir: Once, I went up the roof of the mosque, along with Abu Huraira. He performed ablution and said, "I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying, 'On the Day of Resurrection, my followers will be called "Al-Ghurr-ul-Muhajjalun" from the trace of ablution and whoever can increase the area of his radiance should do so (i.e., by performing ablution regularly).' (Sahih al-Bukhari 136)
Reading this dua slowly and intentionally closes the gap between material clean-up and spiritual preparation for prayer. After the dua, it's advised to proceed and do your prayer while still in this cleansed state. Scholars point out that performing the dua not only reflects on the Prophet (ﷺ)'s teachings but also creates a spiritually clean and conscious state of mind for worship.
When performing wudu (ablution), our Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) had numerous Sunnah practices in order to advance the action from just a cleaning act to a mindful spiritual practice. To begin the wudu, he would say "Bismillah" (In the name of Allah) before proceeding with the act of cleansing. This indicates seeking Allah's blessing and the acknowledgment of His presence in the act.
He also used a miswāk (tooth-stick) to brush his teeth and mouth before wudu. This enables both cleanliness and spiritual well-being. The miswāk serves to cleanse the breath, maintain oral hygiene, and prepare the believer for prayer and recitation of the Qur'an. The sunnah proceeded in an order of washing the hands three times, mouth and nose three times each, and sniffing water in the nostrils. It then proceeds with washing the face, the forearms, cleaning the head and ears, and at last washing the feet. This act is performed all a peaceful and purposeful manner and always begins on the right side according to Sunnah.
Another crucial Sunnah taught by our Prophet (ﷺ) is not to waste water while performing wudu. It is said that even if one were standing in a flowing river, expending more than required or allowing water to overflow is highly unlikable to Allah. Muslims are recommended to adopt these habits, including pure intentions, cleanliness, and embracing an orderly method. For ablution, one should begin from the correct side, maintain oral hygiene, as this helps in not only guaranteeing ritual purity but also fostering mindfulness, respect for resources, and spiritual connection through ablution.
There are a few other duas and prayers taken from the sunnah of our Prophet (ﷺ) that one can say after finishing the wudu. All these duas are a source of praising Allah and asking him for forgiveness to create closeness to Him. You can check out these duas after wudu on the Muslim and Quran website and recite them regularly to earn maximum rewards.
Sayyiduna Abu Sa’id (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whoever performs wudu and says: ‘Subhanakallahumma wa bihamdika ash-hadu al la ilaha illa anta astaghfiruka wa atubu ilayka’ (O Allah, You are pure and all praises are due to You. I bear witness that there is no god besides You. I seek forgiveness from You, and I repent to You) these words will be written on paper and then sealed. The seal will not be broken till the day of Judgement.”