A Complete Guide To Ghusl

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Outline

In this guideline you will learn:

✅ Meaning of Ghusl

✅ When should Ghusl be performed

✅ How to perform Ghusl

✅ Important Points to remember while performing Ghusl

✅ Ahadith and Qur'anic verses about Ghusl

✅ Exceptions to women performing Ghusl

 

Introduction

Before obligatory prayers and when the monthly menstrual cycle gets over or after sexual intercourse, Islam has suggested a full-body purification practice called Ghusl.

 

It's a vital element to get ready to meet Allah SWT. And it holds utmost importance in the Umrah pilgrimage. Islam has spelled out the correct technique to purify oneself before performing Hajj or Umrah pilgrimage, as well as before beginning Jumma prayers or Eid.

 

Allah the Exalted says: 

“O Believers [faith]! If you are in a state of major impurity [that requires ritual bath], then purify yourselves.” 

(Al Maida, 6)

 When Should Ghusl Be Performed?

Along with being fully aware of HOW to do a Ghusl, one must also know WHEN to do this purification bath.

 

Here are a few examples:

● When the monthly menstrual cycle gets over.

● When a person has an impure stain on his body most probably from a sexual

act.

●  When the hemorrhage after pregnancy has stopped.

●  When you have arrived at your destination after a long journey.

●  After giving bath to a deceased person's body.

●  When there are a lot of storms, darkness and dread.

●  When you are wearing a new piece of cloth for the first time.

●  For the purpose of collecting Allah's blessings.

●  After waking up from a coma.

●  When you repent of a sin.

●  Tawaaf for Umrah before Tawaaf.

●  Staying in Arafat and Muzdalifah.

●  When it is Hajj.

How To Perform Ghusl:

 

1. Make a silent intention in your heart for purification.

 

2. Recite Bismillah.

 

3. Wash your hands 3 times.

 

4. Wash your private parts.

 

5. Do Wudu’ (ablution) the same way you do Wudu’ before offering prayers, however do not wash your feet yet.

 

6. After performing Wudu’, pour water on the head in a way that it covers your entire body with water 3 times.

 

7. Firstly, pour water on the right side and then 3 times on the left side.

 

8. Washing of feet for 3 times should be done only at the end of the Ghusl.

 

9. Recite the same Du’a that you recite after completing Wudu’.

 

أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ

 

I testify that there is no god but Allah, the One, there is no associate with Him and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger.  

(Sahih Muslim)

 

It is reported by Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, that

"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ when performing Ghusl from Janaabah (ritual impurity), used to wash his hands, then wash his private parts with his left hand. After that he performed Wudu like that for prayer. Next, he took some water and ran his fingers in the roots of his hair until he used three handfuls of water on his head. He would then go on pouring water on the rest of his body and wash his legs."  

(Muslim)

Points To Remember:

 

1. If you are taking a bath, firstly wash both hands up to the wrist bone, and then thoroughly wash the private parts. Both the hands and private parts should be properly washed under all conditions whether or not there is any impurity on them. Thereafter, if there's any other impurity found on the rest of the body parts, wash it off!

After that, make Wudu’. If you are sitting on a stone or stool while bathing, then you can wash your feet while making Wudu’. But if you are sitting in a place where the water gets accumulated and there are chances that you will have to wash the feet again at the end of the Ghusl, then do the entire Wudu’ but don't wash the feet yet.

 

2. Whilst you let the water run down your body for the first time, rub the body properly so that water covers each area of the body and no place remains dry.

 

3. While bathing, one should not face the Qiblah (direction of the Kabah). Too much water should not be used, nor should so little be used that one is unable to wash thoroughly. The bath should be taken at such a place that no one can see the bathing person. One should not talk while bathing; he should cover himself up first and then wash his feet.

 

4. It is permissible to bathe naked, either by standing or sitting and whether the roof is covered or not; but only if the place is secluded and no one can see you. However, it is suggested to bathe in a sitting position because there is more modesty in this.

 

5. Even if an area equal to a tiny spec is left dry, your Ghusl will not be complete. For example, if one forgets to wash the nose or gargle the mouth, his Ghusl will not be complete.

  

6. On normal days, if a woman pours water on her head three times without undoing her braids; that will be sufficient!

It is narrated that Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) asked the Prophet ﷺ: “I am a woman with braided hair; should I undo it when doing Ghusl for Janaabah?” He answered: 

“No, rather it will be sufficient for you to pour three handfuls of water on your head, then pour water over yourself and you will be purified.”

(Muslim)

But if the Ghusl is after menstruation, then one has to undo the braids and wash her hair properly.

Conclusion

The most important rule is that ghusl takes the place of Wudu’, so the person who has done Ghusl, does not have to repeat Wudu’, unless that person does something that invalidates purity whilst doing Ghusl. And Allah knows best.