How to Clean the Nose in Wudu

Learn how to clean the nose correctly during Wudu by drawing in water and expelling it, with special guidance for fasting and multiple verified Sahih references.

Cleaning The Nose In Wudu

After rinsing the mouth, clean the nose with fresh water.

The two Arabic terms used for this action are:

الِاسْتِنْشَاقُ وَالِاسْتِنْثَارُ

Al-Istinshaq wal-Istinthar.

Drawing water into the nose and then expelling it.

Istinshaq means drawing water gently into the nostrils. Istinthar means blowing or expelling that water from the nose.

Both parts belong together. Merely touching the outside of the nose with wet fingers does not perform the action described in the authentic Hadith.

Direct Command In Sahih Al-Bukhari

Sahih al-Bukhari 161 records a direct instruction from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

He instructed the person performing Wudu to put water into the nose and then blow it out.

Sahih al-Bukhari 162 contains the same clear instruction: when performing Wudu, a person should place water into the nose and then expel it.

These narrations establish that cleaning the nose is not limited to wiping its outside. Water is taken into the nostrils and then removed.

The Prophetic Wudu Demonstrations

Sahih al-Bukhari 164 records the Wudu demonstrated by Uthman ibn Affan رضي الله عنه. After washing his hands, he rinsed his mouth and cleaned his nose by drawing water into it and blowing it out. He then completed the remaining parts of Wudu and explained that he had seen the Prophet ﷺ perform Wudu in that manner.

Sahih Muslim 226a provides another authentic report of Uthman’s demonstration. It states that he washed his hands three times and then rinsed his mouth and cleaned his nose three times.

Sahih al-Bukhari 186 records the Wudu demonstrated by Abdullah ibn Zaid رضي الله عنه. He rinsed the mouth, drew water into the nose and expelled it using three handfuls of water.

Sahih al-Bukhari 191 also describes using a single handful for the mouth and nose and repeating the combined action three times.

How To Clean The Nose

Follow this method carefully:

1. Take a manageable amount of clean water in the right hand.
2. Bring the water towards the nostrils.
3. Draw a small amount gently into the nose.
4. Do not inhale so violently that the action causes pain.
5. Expel the water from the nose.
6. Use the left hand to assist in cleaning when necessary.
7. Repeat the action three times when following the complete Prophetic method.

The water should enter the nostrils rather than only wetting their outer edges.

A person should use an amount that can be controlled safely. Children and new learners may begin with a small amount until they become comfortable with the movement.

Using One Handful For Mouth And Nose

Sahih al-Bukhari 191 reports that Abdullah ibn Zaid used one handful of water to rinse his mouth and clean his nose and repeated the action three times.

A practical method is:

- Take water in the right hand.
- Use part of it to rinse the mouth.
- Use the remaining controlled amount for the nose.
- Expel the water.
- Repeat the sequence three times.

Sahih al-Bukhari 186 similarly describes three handfuls being used for the mouth and nose.

These authentic reports show that the two actions can be connected efficiently without wasting water.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ISTINSHaq AND ISTINTHAR

Istinshaq is drawing water into the nostrils.

Istinthar is expelling that water.

If someone draws water in but does not remove it properly, only part of the process has been completed. If someone blows the nose without first taking in water, that also does not match the complete action.

Remember the simple sequence:

Water in, then water out.

Extra Care After Waking From Sleep

Sahih al-Bukhari 3295 instructs a person who wakes from sleep and performs Wudu to wash the nose by drawing water into it and expelling it three times.

The Hadith states that Satan stays in the upper part of the nose during the night. We accept the authentic wording without inventing explanations beyond what the narration teaches.

After waking for Fajr or another prayer, clean the nose carefully three times as instructed.

Guidance During Fasting

A fasting person still cleans the nose during Wudu but must avoid excessive inhalation.

Sunan Abi Dawud 2366 records that the Prophet ﷺ instructed Laqit ibn Saburah رضي الله عنه to draw water deeply into the nose except when fasting. The narration is graded Sahih by Al-Albani.

Therefore:

- When not fasting, draw the water properly without being careless.
- When fasting, use a controlled amount.
- Do not inhale forcefully.
- Prevent water from travelling towards the throat.
- Expel the water immediately and carefully.

This authentic instruction provides balance. A fasting person does not abandon cleaning the nose but avoids exaggeration.

Health And Safety

Use clean water and gentle pressure.

Someone experiencing nasal bleeding, recent surgery, severe infection or another medical problem should not cause injury by forcefully drawing in water.

Use a safe amount and consult an appropriate medical professional and qualified scholar when a condition makes normal cleaning harmful.

Islamic purification should be performed correctly, but a person is not instructed to harm the body.

If one nostril is temporarily blocked, clean carefully according to ability without forcing water painfully.

Common Mistakes

Do not only wipe the outside of the nose.

Do not take water in and forget to expel it.

Do not inhale so strongly that water causes pain or choking.

Do not use excessive force while fasting.

Do not neglect one nostril.

Do not use contaminated water.

Do not repeatedly clean because of baseless doubts.

Do not waste water by taking unnecessarily large handfuls.

Do not confuse ordinary nose wiping with Istinshaq and Istinthar.

Practice Method For Beginners

First practice:

Take a very small amount of water and allow it to enter the front of both nostrils.

Second practice:

Expel it gently and completely.

Third practice:

Combine the mouth rinse and nose cleaning from one handful.

Complete practice:

Repeat the connected mouth-and-nose action three times, as described in Sahih al-Bukhari 191.

Practise over a sink and keep the head in a comfortable position. After several careful attempts, the movement should become natural.

ONE, TWO OR THREE TIMES

The detailed Wudu reports in Sahih al-Bukhari 186, Sahih al-Bukhari 191 and Sahih Muslim 226a describe cleaning the nose three times.

The Sunnah also establishes flexibility in the general number of washes during Wudu. The most important points are that the action is genuinely performed and that water reaches the nostrils before being expelled.

For teaching the complete method, repeat the nose cleaning three times.

Cleanliness And Worship

Cleaning the nose removes dust and other material, but its primary purpose in Wudu is obedience to Allah and following the Messenger ﷺ.

Wudu combines physical cleanliness with spiritual preparation. The believer prepares the face, hands and other limbs before standing in Salah.

Perform the action consciously, without turning it into a careless splash of water.

Order Within Wudu

The sequence learned so far is:

- Form the intention in the heart.
- Say Bismillah.
- Wash both hands.
- Rinse the mouth.
- Draw water into the nose.
- Expel the water from the nose.

The next step is washing the entire face.

Quick Review

Cleaning the nose consists of Istinshaq and Istinthar.

Istinshaq means drawing water into the nostrils.

Istinthar means expelling the water.

Sahih al-Bukhari 161 and 162 contain a direct instruction to put water into the nose and blow it out.

Sahih al-Bukhari 164 and Sahih Muslim 226a record the action in Uthman’s demonstration of the Prophetic Wudu.

Sahih al-Bukhari 186 and 191 describe cleaning the mouth and nose with three handfuls or a shared handful.

Sahih al-Bukhari 3295 gives special instruction to clean the nose three times after waking.

Sunan Abi Dawud 2366, graded Sahih by Al-Albani, teaches that a fasting person should avoid excessive inhalation.

Use clean water, act gently and proceed next to washing the face.