While performing wudu, some individuals often experience doubts about whether they recited Bismillah or completed specific steps correctly

Question

Sometimes while doing wudu, feel confused if I said Bismillah or not. What should I do in case of such confusions during wudu? Sometimes the confusions are even about if I missed a step. Should I consider these as waswas?

Answer 1

When experiencing doubts during wudu (ablution), Here is how you can handle such situations:

1. Doubt about Saying “Bismillah”

• Saying Bismillah before wudu (ablution ) is recommended (Sunnah) according to most scholars, though some consider it obligatory. The obligatory steps of wudu (ablution) are

O believers! When you rise up for prayer, wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, wipe your heads, and wash your feet to the ankles.

https://quran.com/en/al-maidah/6

Note : Intention and Order of Steps also may matter

• If you doubt whether you said Bismillah, you can say it where you are in the wudu process without restarting. The key principle is that

Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity

(Qur’an 2:286).

…It is not Allah’s Will to burden you…

https://quran.com/en/al-maidah/6

2. Doubt about Missing a Step in Wudu

• If the doubt occurs before completing the wudu, return to the step you are unsure about and complete it properly. For instance, if you’re uncertain about washing your face, wash it again.
• If the doubt arises after completing the wudu, ignore the doubt and consider your wudu valid unless you are certain that a step was missed.

3. Considering Waswas (Whispers of Shaytan)

• If these doubts are frequent and lead to overthinking, they are likely waswas. Shaytan uses such doubts to create unnecessary hardship and distractions in worship.

To overcome waswas:

1. Ignore minor doubts. Trust that you performed the actions unless you are absolutely certain otherwise.
2. Make dua for protection from Shaytan, such as reciting

أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم

(I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaytan). 3. Remember that Islam emphasizes ease and not difficulty

…Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship. … (Qur’an 2:185).

4. General Guidance

• Practice mindfulness during wudu (ablution) to help reduce confusion. Perform the steps deliberately and with focus.

• Recognize that excessive doubts can lead to unnecessary hardships.

If doubts persist often, treat them as waswas and ignore them. If they are occasional and significant, address them calmly and return to the step in question only if you are certain it was missed.