Ghusl — Ritual Bath

Ghusl is the full-body ritual washing required to remove the state of major ritual impurity (janabah). It is a prerequisite for performing Salah, Tawaf, reciting or touching the Quran (according to the majority), and entering a mosque (according to some scholars). Allah says: "And if you are in a state of janabah, then purify yourselves" (Quran 5:6). Ghusl is an act of worship in itself, combining physical cleanliness with spiritual purification.

When Ghusl Is Required

Ghusl becomes obligatory in the following situations: after sexual intercourse (even without ejaculation, according to the majority, based on the hadith: "When the two circumcised parts meet, ghusl becomes obligatory" in Sahih Muslim); after the emission of sexual fluid (mani) with desire; after the end of menstruation (hayd) for women; after the end of postpartum bleeding (nifas); upon embracing Islam (recommended according to most scholars, obligatory according to some); and for washing the deceased (the one who washes the body should perform ghusl, though scholars differ on whether this is obligatory or recommended).

The Obligatory Acts

The minimum requirements for a valid ghusl are: the intention (niyyah) according to the majority (the Hanafi school considers it sunnah), and ensuring water reaches the entire body including the hair and skin. The Hanafi school adds rinsing the mouth and nose as obligatory, considering them part of "the entire body." If these minimum requirements are met, the ghusl is valid even without following the sunnah method, though the reward is less.

The Sunnah Method

The complete method is narrated by Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her): the Prophet (peace be upon him) would begin by washing his hands, then wash his private parts, then perform a complete wudu as for prayer, then pour water over his head three times ensuring it reaches the roots of his hair, then wash the rest of his body starting with the right side (Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim). He would run his fingers through his hair to ensure water reached the scalp, and would wash his feet last.

Recommended Ghusls

Beyond the obligatory situations, ghusl is recommended (sunnah or mustahabb) for: the Friday prayer ("Ghusl on Friday is obligatory for every adult" in Sahih al-Bukhari, though the majority interpret this as strong recommendation); the two Eid prayers; entering the state of ihram for Hajj or Umrah; standing at Arafat; and after washing a deceased person. The Friday ghusl is the most emphasized, with some scholars of the Hanbali and Dhahiri schools considering it obligatory based on the apparent wording of the hadith.