ritual washing required before performing certain acts of worship, such as prayer. The stages involved in performing ablution are as follows:
1. **Intention (Niyyah)**: The person must have the intention of performing ablution for purification, and the act should be done for the sake of Allah.
2. **Bismillah (Saying “In the name of Allah”)**: Before starting the ablution, it is recommended to say “Bismillah” (in the name of Allah).
3. **Washing the Hands**: Begin by washing both hands up to the wrists, ensuring the water reaches between the fingers.
4. **Rinsing the Mouth**: Using the right hand, rinse the mouth three times. This can be done by taking water with the right hand and swirling it around in the mouth.
5. **Cleaning the Nose**: Sniff water into the nostrils using the right hand, and then blow it out with the left hand, repeating it three times. This process is known as *istinja*.
6. **Washing the Face**: Wash the entire face, from the forehead to the chin and from ear to ear, ensuring that the water reaches all parts of the face.
7. **Washing the Forearms**: Wash the right arm from the wrist to the elbow, and then repeat for the left arm. Ensure that the elbows are fully washed.
8. **Wiping the Head**: Wet your hands and wipe the entire head, from the front of the forehead to the back of the head. It is enough to wipe once.
9. **Wiping the Ears**: Wipe the inside and outside of the ears with your wet fingers, which is usually done with the same water used for wiping the head.
10. **Washing the Feet**: Wash both feet, starting with the right foot and then the left. Ensure that the water reaches between the toes, and the ankles are properly washed.
11. **Completing the Ablution**: After completing all the steps, the person is now in a state of ritual purity and ready to perform acts of worship, such as prayer.
These steps ensure the body is purified before engaging in acts like prayer or handling the Quran. If any part of the body becomes impure after ablution, the person must repeat the ablution.