Ablution, or Wudu in Arabic, is a ritual washing performed by Muslims as a prerequisite to performing prayers. It is a type of ritual purification, or ablution, that is an important part of purity and cleanliness in Islam before performing worship. The purpose of ablution is to cleanse parts of the body and prepare oneself mentally and physically ahead of prayer. The four mandatory acts of ablution are washing the face, washing the arms up to the elbows, wiping the head, and washing the feet up to the ankles. There are also a handful of recommended acts that are considered to make the ablution better, such as reciting the shahadah after the ablution, choosing a clean place for ablution, and not wasting water. Muslims start the process in the name of God and must perform the ablution correctly. Ablution is broken or invalidated by discharging solid or liquid or wind from private parts, including sexual intercourse, bleeding, vomiting, falling asleep, or taking any intoxicating substance. If one’s ablution remains intact, then even with one ablution, more than one prayer can be performed. In cases where clean water is not easily available, Muslims are recommended to perform tayammum, sometimes called dry ablution, using sand or dust instead of water.