How to do Ghusl in Islam? Ghusl, a full-body purifying ritual, must be performed before prayers and after a period of sexual activity. Ghusl is a significant part of the Umrah trip. It is a crucial step in getting ready to enter God’s house. Islam outlines the proper manner to wash oneself before entering the Ihram state for the Hajj or Umrah pilgrimage as well as before beginning the Eid and Jumma prayers. Every Muslim should learn how to perform ghusl.
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)
What is Wudu in Islam?
Let’s learn another crucial concept before moving on to the proper approach on how to do ghusl. The Islamic practice of wudu involves washing one’s body parts. It is a form of ritual cleansing that entails four required actions: washing the face, both arms down to the elbows and tips of the fingers, wiping the head, and washing both feet down to the ankles.
Both ghusl for men and ghusl for women must include wudu. It is an act of partial ablution that is carried out during the ghusl dua. Ali al-Ridha asserts that before beginning wudu, one must remove 10 buckets of water from any water that has even a trace of blood, urine, or animal feces. Wudu can be invalidated by behaviors including urination, deep sleep, defecation, menstruation, flatulence, minor bleeding, sexual activity, and postpartum.
Also Read: How to do Wudu: A Step-by-Step Guide
How To Perform Ghusl (Purification Bath)?
To begin Ghusl, One must recite the Ghusl Dua or declare their intention, or Niyyah, by declaring, “I am performing Jannaba in order to become pure,” before performing Ghusl (a purification bath). Even if skipping the Ghusl Dua or not declaring your desire won’t affect the ritual, you won’t receive any rewards for doing so, and it’s also advised not to utter any Aayah or Kalimah while performing the process.
Ghusl rules
While performing Ghusl, a Muslim is required to adhere to a number of requirements. Ghusl should be performed in a quiet area, while seated or standing, and away from the Qibla direction (the direction of the Kaaba). It is also said that while performing a Ghusl, one should utilize enough water and keep quiet. He or she should properly wash both their hands and private areas. If after taking a bath there is still some dry skin on the body, you don’t absolutely need to conduct Ghusl again; you can simply wash the area in question. Additionally, wash your mouth, ears, navel, and nose if you forgot.
Additionally, it is recommended to remove all jewelry before starting the bath. No area of the body will be left dry in this manner.
Water from wells, rains, melted ice, springs, rivers, or the sea, as well as water from ponds or large tanks, can all be used for the purification process. It is forbidden to perform the ceremony using contaminated or polluted water.
Steps on How to perform Ghusl
1) Say your purpose (Niyyah)
2) Speak Bismillah
3) Rinse the hands thrice with water
4) Thoroughly wash your private parts and any other unclean body regions.
5) Do Wudu (an Islamic practice of cleansing the body) as usual, but do not yet wash your feet.
6) You must completely perform the Wudu if you are bathing on a platform or stool where the water is flowing quickly. But if it appears like your feet will be submerged in the water, wash them once the bath is over.
7) Ensure that the water on your head is sufficient to cover the scalp. Men should also thoroughly clean their beards. Ladies must wash their hair thoroughly, and if it is not plaited, they must wash it all the way down to the roots. If you leave even one hair out, the Ghusl will be deemed invalid. But it is not required to untie a woman’s plait if she has one, just wet to the tip of each hair.
8) Pour water all over the body starting from the right side. Repeat on the left side, then move on to the body as a whole. Make sure to repeat each of these three times while making sure to properly wipe your hands over the entire body while washing.
9) Step aside from the Ghusl region afterward and wash your right and then left feet. There is no need to wash your feet again if they have already been washed during the process.
10) Dress up after using a fresh towel to dry your body.
How to perform ghusl after periods?
For females, Ghusl Janabat refers to thoroughly cleansing the body following sex and periods. A woman can conduct Ghusl after her period in one of two ways. Here is a guide on how women can perform purifying baths.
Method 1: Performing the required ghusl after the periods
- Take off all of your jewelry, clothing, and cosmetics. The body and the water shouldn’t be separated by anything.
- Make it a point to purify your heart or thoughts.
- Turn on the shower, then enter. Before starting Ghusl, clean yourself as you normally would.
- Rinse your nose and mouth while tilting your head back.
- At least once, let the water clean your entire body. To ensure that the water reaches every portion of your body, turn your body left and right. This can also be done three times because three times is the minimum amount of time for a full ghusl.
- Ensure that all of your body is covered with water. You can move your hair around to completely soak your scalp.
- Use a fresh towel to dry off after you’re finished.
Method 2: Do ghusl with activities in accordance with the Sunnah
- Declare your intention first.
- Enter the shower after taking off all of your clothing and jewelry.
- Say “Bismillah” and perform three complete hand washes.
- Wash your private parts with your left hand. All body parts, especially your private areas after menstruation, should be rubbed or patted with water.
- In order to get rid of any remaining odors, use musk or perfume.
- Three times, pour water over your head, being careful to get it all the way to the scalp.
- Use your hands to thoroughly clean the body.
- Use a fresh towel to dry off after you’re finished.
- This concluded the female after-period ghusl rite.
Mandatory Ghusl Acts
- Wash your mouth thoroughly, making sure that all of it is covered.
- Wash your nose up to the fleshy part.
- Whether knowingly or unknowingly, wash your entire body.
- Wet your entire body and vigorously rub your hands.
Acts Not Permitted Without a Ghusl
A Muslim cannot do some acts of devotion without first doing the Ghusl ritual wash. These are what they are:
- Do not offer a Ghusl Dua or ritual prayer.
- Do not handle or read any verses from the Holy Quran.
- Tawaf should not be performed around the House of God, the Holy Kaaba.
- Except in cases of need, avoid going into the mosque.
When should Ghusl be performed?
Knowing when to do a Ghusl is just as important as knowing how to perform a Ghusl (purifying bath). Here are several examples:
- If a body has an unclean taint (Could be from a sexual act)
- following the menstrual cycle’s conclusion
- once the postpartum hemorrhage has subsided
- Upon arrival following a lengthy travel
- After a deceased person’s body has been cleaned
- When there are utter darkness, terror, and storms
- to put on new clothing
- Upon awakening from a dream or after feeling guilty over a transgression
- in order to gather blessings
- Prior to Umrah for Tawaf
- to remain in Arafat and Muzdalifah
- When going to the Holy Prophet and during the three days when the Hajis pelt the devil with stones
The correct method of doing ghusl must be followed, as advised by Islamic scholars. This is the only way to achieve full and legitimate purity in order to undertake the most sacred acts of religion.
FAQs on Ghusl
Q. When is ghusl compulsory for a woman?
Ans.
(1) A woman having a wet dream. (2) When she engages in sexual activity with a man. (3) When she rids herself of haiz (menses). (5) Once she is free of nifas (post-partum bleeding).
Ghusl turns into fardh (compulsory) on women in each of these scenarios.
Q. When is ghusl not required but it is mustahabb?
Ans. (i)Every time one is about to meet someone, it is mustahabb to perform ghusl.
(ii)Any time there is a physical change.
(iii)For various religious rituals, such as performing ghusl before entering ihraam.
Q. What are the Ghusl steps for ladies/ women?
Ans. Following a woman’s period, the ghusl is more thorough than at other periods. After the intention, the sole requirement for doing ghusl is that water touch every body part.
The Sunnah is described as follows:
1. Wash your hands and private areas.
2. To perform a full Wudu
3. Pour water three times over your body and head
If a woman is experiencing menstruation, she should also:
1. Ensure she gives her hair a thorough, root-to-tip wash.
2. Thoroughly wash her intimate area with something fragrant.
This was the Guide to How to perform Ghusl in Islam. Read more Islamic Blogs or follow us on social media for Islamic reminders.
