Dua After Completing the Ablution

Physical cleanliness and spiritual purity are among the most emphasized things in Islamic teachings. Hadith 223 of Sahih Muslim defines some of the highly virtuous acts a Muslim should practice, cleanliness being one of them, which has been expressed as "cleanliness is half of faith". Ablution (wudu) is an act that not only cleanses us physically but also brings spiritual purity. The necessity and importance of wudu is also described in the 6^th verse of Surah Al-Ma’ida, especially when standing up for prayer (Salah).

Translation - O believers, when you stand up for the service of prayer, wash your faces and hands up to elbows, and also wipe your heads, and wash your feet up to the ankles.

Islam also teaches us to recite a specific Dua when starting a good deed or action. While reciting the name of Allah, سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ (Bismillah) is strongly recommended when starting Wudu (Ablution), a specific Dua after Wudu is equally emphasized. Dua on completing wudu was also emphasized by the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, as narrated in Hadith 234a of Sahih Muslim as follows:

Translation of relevant part - If anyone amongst you performs the ablution, and then completes the ablution well and then says: I testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the servant of Allah and His Messenger, the eight gates of Paradise would be opened for him, and he may enter by whichever of them he wishes.

The above Hadith not only defines what to say on completing ablution but also narrates its virtues.

Although all three duas referred above are quite popular across the Muslim world, only the one mentioned at serial number 1 is supported with an authentic Hadith reference (Hadith 234a of Sahih Muslim).

Dua After Ablution in Islam

The best and most emphasized dua after ablution, as also mentioned in the above-referred Hadith, is as follows:

• Dua After Ablution In Arabic - أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ اللّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَريـكَ لَـهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّـداً عَبْـدُهُ وَرَسُـولُـهُ
• Dua After Ablution Transliteration - Ash-hadu 'an laa 'ilaaha 'illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu wa 'ash-hadu 'anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa Rasooluhu.
• Dua After Ablution In English - 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.

Benefits of Reciting Dua After Wudu

Recitation of any Dua bears huge rewards, but those prescribed to be recited on a certain occasion hold some specific benefits. Reciting the above-mentioned Dua after completion of wudu is highly virtuous and emphasized in Islam.

Some of the virtues and benefits are summarized here:

• As mentioned in Hadith 234a of Sahih Muslim, performing wudu and reciting Dua after that opens the eight doors of Paradise for us. It is one of the unique virtues associated with the recitation of the dua on completion of wudu.
• This specific Dua includes one of the most important and basic elements of faith, “Shahadah” (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.). So, when we recite it, it strengthens our Iman (faith), reaffirming our firm belief in Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ and the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ.
• Wudu or ablution is also associated with spiritual purification. Performing it correctly and then reciting the Dua brings both physical and spiritual purification.

Etiquettes of Reciting Dua After Ablution

• Try to face Qibla while reciting the dua after wudu, if possible.
• Although it is not compulsory, it is better to raise hands while reciting this dua, just like we do when making any other Dua. Some scholars are also of the view that one should raise index finger of right hand while making this Dua after ablution.
• Recite it slowly, with sincerity and reflection.

Recite it with humility from the core of your heart.

Meaning and Explanation of the Dua

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.

When and How to Recite the Dua after Wudu

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.

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.

Other duas for doing wudu from the Hadith or Quran

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.”

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