Q: What is the Du‘a’ (supplication) to be said while performing Wudu’ (ablution)?

A: All praise be to Allah Alone, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger, and his family and Companions. There is no Du‘a’ that is authentically reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) to be said during Wudu’. The invocations that some people say while they are ritually washing parts of their bodies are Bid‘ah (innovation in religion), such as when some people say while washing their faces: “O Allah! Whiten my face on the Day when faces will be blackened,” or they say when washing their hands: “O Allah! Give me my Book (of deeds) in my right hand and do not give me my Book in my left hand,” and other Du‘a’s that are said during performing Wudu’ of the different parts of their body. It is however, lawful for a Muslim when having Wudu’ to say Tasmiyah ("Bismillah [In the Name of Allah]") at the beginning of Wudu’, in accordance with the Hadith: “No Wudu’ (is valid) for the one who has not mentioned the Name of Allah upon it.” On finishing Wudu’, they should say: “I bear witness that there is no deity except Allah Alone, without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His Slave and Messenger. O Allah! Make me of those who are constantly repentant and of those who often purify themselves.” May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.