Ghusl (Complete Bath)
Its Legislation
Ghusl is legislated by the Book and the Sunnah. Allah (SWT) said:
< If you are in a state of sexual impurity (Janabah), purify yourselves.> (5:6)
And (ordering that one should not pray in that case) He (SWT) said:
< Nor when in a state of sexual impurity (Janabah), except when just passing through (the Masjid)>. (4:43)
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:
“When the two circumcised organs meet, then Ghusl is obligatory.” (Muslim)
When Ghusl is Obligatory
1. The state of Janabah which includes sexual intercourse, meaning the insertion of the male sexual organ into the female sexual organ, whether it is accompanied by the ejaculation of semen or not.
2. Ejaculation, that is the discharge of semen accompanied by sexual pleasure, whether asleep or awake. This applies to males and (the similar case) to females as well. Allah the Almighty said:
(If you are sexually defiled, purify yourselves.) (5:6)
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:
“When the two circumcised organs meet, then Ghusl is obligatory.” (Muslim)
3. Cessation of menstruation and postnatal bleeding . Allah the Almighty says:
<Therefore, keep away from women during menses and go not unto them till they are purified (from menses and have taken a bath). And when they have purified themselves, then go in unto them as Allah has ordained for you.> (2:22)
Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said to the woman (who experienced the case of Mustahadhah):
“Abide the extent you consider your normal period to be, then perform Ghusl.” (Muslim)
4. Acceptance of Islam. The one who accepts Islam must perform Ghusl, because when Thumamah Al-Hanafi accepted Islam, Allah’s Messenger (SAW) commanded him to perform Ghusl. (‘Abdur-Razzaq, and its basis is in the two Sahihs)
5. Death: upon the death of any Muslim, it becomes obligatory to wash his body, since the Messenger of Allah (SAW) ordered that for his daughter Zaynab when she died, may Allah be pleased with her. This was recorded in the Sahih.
When Ghusl is Recommended
1. For the Friday congregational prayer. Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said:
“Ghusl on Friday is obligatory for every male who has reached the age of puberty.(Agreed Upon)
2. Ihram [1] either for ‘Umrah or for Hajj; since the Messenger (SAW) did so and commanded it.
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[1] Ihram is the sacred state necessary for the performance of Hajj or ‘Umrah, as detailed in the appropriate section.
3. When entering Makkah, and the day of standing at ‘Arafah; as done by the Messenger (SAW).
4. After washing a dead person as mentioned in the earlier Hadith.
The Obligatory Elements of Ghusl
1. Intention, which means the determination of the heart to remove major impurity by performing Ghusl. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:
“Deeds are judged by their intentions. And everyone will have what he intended.” (Al-Bukhari)
2. Pouring water on the entire body, rubbing the areas where it is possible to do so. If it is impossible, one should pour water to cover such areas.
3. Being sure that the water reaches all part of the body, including the fingers and the hair, and especially the recess parts like the navel etc.
The Sunan Elements of Ghusl
1. Reciting: Bismillaah “In the Name of Allah.”
This is legislated when beginning any significant action.
2. Washing the hands before dipping them into the water container, as previously mentioned.
3. Removal filthy matter in the beginning.
4. Washing the limbs that are normally washed for Wudhu’ before washing the body.
5. Rinsing the mouth, taking water into the nose, and blowing it out, plus washing the inner side of the ears.
Acts that are Disliked for Ghusl
1. Wasting water. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) performed Ghusl with one Sa’ which equals four Muds (see earlier note).
2. Performing Ghusl in a filthy place where one fears that he may splash some impurities upon his body or clothing.
3. Performing Ghusl with the water left over from the purification of a woman; since the Prophet (SAW) prohibited that, as previously clarified.
4. Not using any screen or barrier to block the view of others while performing Ghusl. It is narrated that Maymunah (the wife of the Messenger(SAW), may Allah be pleased with her, brought the Messenger of Allah (saw) water for Ghusl and she held a veil to hide him until he completed his Ghusl. If Ghusl was recommended without a screen, she would not have veiled him. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:
“Allah the Almighty is Modest and covering, and He loves modesty. When one of you performs Ghusl, let him screen himself.” (Abu Dawud)
5. Performing Ghusl in standing water. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:
“Let none of you perform Ghusl in standing water while he is in a state of Janabah.” (Muslim)
The Manner of Performing Ghusl
That you say: “Bismillah”
“In the Name of Allah,” intending to remove the major impurities by performing Ghusl. Washing the two hands three times. Washing one’s private parts and the area surrounding them removing any filth. Performing Wudhu’ for the removal of minor impurities. One has the choice to wash his feet while performing Wudhu’, or to wash them at the end of the Ghusl. Dipping one’s hand in the water to get them wet, [1] then going through the hair with them in order to let the water reach the roots of the hair. Then he washes his head plus his ears three times using a total of three handfuls of water. Then he pours water on his right side starting with the upper part then the lower one; and doing the same with left side. He should be sure that water has reached all the recessed parts such as the navel, the armpits, and the knees. ‘Aishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said: ‘Whenever the Messenger of Allah (SAW) performed Ghusl to remove sexual impurity, he used to wash his hands before dipping them in to the container, wash his private area, perform Wudhu ‘ like that for Salah. He used to soak his hair with water, pour three handfuls of water on his head, then he poured the water over his entire body.”
(At-Tirmithi and he said it is Sahih)
What is prohibited while one is in a state of Janabah
1. Reciting or reading any part of the Noble Qur’an, except seeking refuge from Allah and the like. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:
“The one menstruating and the sexually impure are not to recite anything from the Qur’an.”
(At-Tirmithi who mentioned a deficiency, but the narration of ‘Ali which is Sahih is a witness
For its validity in meaning)
‘Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “The Messenger of Allah would recite the Qur’an in all circumstances, except while in the state of Janabah.” (At-Tirmithi who said it is Sahih)
2. Entering a Masjid, except for merely passing through for some necessary matter. Allah the Almighty says: <Nor when sexually defiled except when just passing through (the Masjid)>. (4:43)
3. Performing Salah, whether obligatory or supererogatory.
Allah the Almighty says:
<O you who believe! Do not approach As-Salah (the prayer) when you are in a drunken state until you know (the meaning) of what you utter, nor while sexually defiled, except when just passing through (the Masjid), till you wash your whole body.> (4:43)
4. Touching of a copy of the Qur’an, even with a stick or the like. Allah the Almighty says:
<That (this) is indeed an honorable recitation. In a Book well-guarded. Which none can touch but the purified (angels).> (56:77-79)
Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said:
“Do not touch the Qur’an (the Mushaf) except while you are in a state of purity.”
(Ad-Daraqutni and it is Sahih)
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[1] Women are not commanded to undo their braids; they are commanded only to pour three handfuls of water on their head rubbing them without undoing their braids. Umm Salamah (the wife of the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “O Messenger of Allah! I braid my hair closely, should I undo it while Ghusl for removing Janabah?” The Messenger of Allah said:
“No, it is sufficient for you to pour only three handfuls of water on your head.”