A Step by Step Islamic Guide on How to perform Ghusl?
Ghusl is the ritual bath in which the entire body is washed thoroughly as commanded by the Shariat to purify oneself from an impure state.
Almighty Allah says in the Holy Qur’an,
وَإِن كُنتُمْ جُنُبًۭا فَٱطَّهَّرُوا۟
‘If you are in an impure state, purify yourself well.’ i.e. perform Ghusl
[Surah Al-Ma’idah (5), Verse 6]
And regarding purification after menses, it is mentioned in the Holy Qur'an that,
حَتَّىٰ يَطْهُرْنَ
‘Until they (menstruating females) become properly pure’
[Surah Al-Baqarah (2), Verse 222]
How would our Beloved Rasool ﷺ perform the Ghusl?
Sayyidatuna A’isha Siddiqa رضى الله تعالى عنها says that, when the Beloved Rasool ﷺ would take the bath of Janaabat, he would commence by first washing his hands. Thereafter he would perform ablution like for Namaaz. He would then dip his fingers into the water, wetting the roots of the hair. He would thereafter pour three handfuls of water thrice over the head and he then poured water over the entire body.
[Bukhari, Muslim]
What are the Steps to Perform Ghusl (Ritual Bath)?
Firstly, a person should make the intention and
then wash both the hands until the wrists three times.
Next, the private parts should be washed and if there are any impurities present on the body such as urine, they too should be cleaned.
Wudu should then be performed without washing the feet. However, if Ghusl is performed on a raised position where the water shall drain away, then the feet should also be washed.
Next, water should be rubbed on the body like oil and then water should be poured on the right side of the body three times, the left three times, over the head and finally over the rest of the body three times.
Water should again be massaged over the entire body.
Clothing should be worn immediately after completing Ghusl.
FAQs
Which parts do people generally fail to wash properly, and to which further care should be taken?
Some of the parts to which people tend to be careless are; the joint between the thigh and the legs; the joint between the thigh and the shin (underneath as well). One should take special care in this regard especially when one is taking a bath while sitting, as water will not reach these joints easily. One must also take special care to the area where both buttocks join, especially when bathing in a standing position. Also, take special care to wash around the thighs, and to wash all around the shin (i.e. the sides and under as well). We must also take heed of the fact that every fine hair of the body from tip to root must be washed during Ghusl, so water must be passed over the body thoroughly.
Which are the particular areas that males should pay special attention to when making Ghusl?
The following should be taken note of by males:
The surface area between where the penis and the testes meet. This cannot be washed unless held apart.
From the surface of the testes till the lower area and the area under the testes up to the end of it.
For a person who for some reason has not been circumcised, to clean the inner part of the foreskin by raising the foreskin if it can be raised.
Are there any particular areas that the females should pay more care to when taking the Ghusl?
Yes there are. These should be paid careful attention to, if not the Ghusl will not be proper. Special care should be taken:
To lift up and wash the area under the breasts if they are sagging, and to wash the area between the breast and the stomach.
To ensure that water reaches every part of the external part of the vagina, paying attention that it is washed thoroughly. However, it is not Waajib (compulsory) to wash the inner vagina using the finger. It is however Mustahab.
How many Fard Actions are there in Ghusl?
It can be said that there are three Fard Actions in Ghusl.
To Rinse the Mouth
To Clean the Nose, i.e Nostrils
To Wash The Surface of The Entire Body
1. What is meant by washing the mouth?
To allow water to pass through the entire mouth, over every nook and corner, up to the back of the throat.
Many people think that merely taking a little water into the mouth and then spitting it out is sufficient to rinse the mouth, even though the water may not reach the back of the tongue and the edge of the throat. Is this correct?
Merely rinsing the mouth in this manner will not allow the Ghusl to be valid. It is actually Fard to allow the water to pass behind the teeth, in the layer below the cheeks, on the base of the teeth, between the gaps in the teeth and over every part of the tongue, up to the edge of the throat.
If Namaaz is performed with such a Ghusl in which the mouth was not rinsed properly, and the Fard is not fulfilled, is the Namaaz valid?
Any Namaaz that is performed with such a Ghusl where the Fard is not fulfilled, will be regarded as being invalid.
When rinsing the mouth, should those things which are trapped between the teeth be removed?
If something (Pieces of beetle nut and strings of meat are examples of such things) is trapped in the base of the teeth or in the gaps between the teeth, thereby obstructing water from passing through, then it must be removed. This is applicable if it does not cause any discomfort or pain in removing it.
What happens if these things are so firmly stuck that they cannot be removed?
As mentioned before, if removing it causes discomfort and injury, like in the case of those who excessively eat beetle leaf, causing it to become fixed to the base of the teeth, or in the case of residue from some toothpowders used by females which fuse to the teeth, and where there is a danger that if scraped out, it will cause damage to the teeth and gums, then these are excused (i.e. exempted).
2. When we say it is Fard to clean the nose, what do we mean by this?
To clean the nose means to rinse both nostrils up to the soft area inside. This is done by sniffing (sucking) the water into the nostrils. Not a single area equivalent to a hair should be left unwashed; otherwise, the Ghusl will not be regarded as being valid.
Is it necessary to remove any dried up mucus from the nostrils?
If mucus has dried up inside the nostrils, it is Fard to remove this.
Does water have to pass through the hairs in the nose as well?
It is also Fard to wash the nose hairs.
Some females use nose rings. Does water have to pass through the hole?
If the hole of a septum ring (i.e. nose ring) has not been sealed then it is also necessary to pass water into it. If it is constricted, it is necessary for one to give some motion (shake it) to allow water to reach it, otherwise, there is no need.
3. For the third Fard of Ghusl it says washing the surface of the entire body. What does this mean?
In other words, to pass water over the surface, i.e. visible parts of the entire body, making sure that water passes on every limb and every fine strand of hair on the body.
In washing the body is it sufficient to simply pour water over the head a few times?
Many in the general public (i.e. the laymen) and also some educated people think that to merely pour water over the head and then run the hands over the entire body suffices as Ghusl, whereas there are certain parts in the body that unless one does not pay special attention to them, they will not be washed and the Ghusl will thus not be valid.
What is the method in washing the hair during Ghusl?
If the hair is not plaited then it is of utmost importance to allow water to pass from the tips to the root over every strand of hair.
For females, it is sufficient to only wet the roots of the hair. It is not necessary for them to undo the plait. However, if the plait or ponytail is tied so tightly that without it being undone, the roots of the hair will not become wet then, in this case, it will be necessary to open the hair (i.e. the plait).
Nowadays, there are even males who put plaits in their hair. What should they do when performing Ghusl?
Firstly, it is not permitted for men to plait the hair as it is the way of females. However, if the hair is plaited then it is Fard for a male to open this hair and pass water over it from the root to the tips i.e. it must be thoroughly washed.
What is the ruling regarding a hole pierced for an ear-ring?
The ruling regarding a hole pierced in the ear for an ear-ring or other jewellery etc. is the same ruling which applies to the hole pierced for the nose ring.
What special care should be taken when washing the beard, moustache and eyebrows?
You must ensure that water reaches the skin beneath the beard, moustache and eyebrows and ensure that the hairs are washed from root to tip.
How should one wash the ear area?
All the parts of the ear and the entrance of the ear cavity should be washed. One should also wash behind the ear. One must move the hair whilst doing so.
Is there any other area of the face to which special care must be given?
Yes, the area (joint) between the chin and the face. This area cannot be thoroughly washed unless one raises the face. Hence, special care must be taken.
Which other parts must we pay special attention to when taking Ghusl?
It must be noted that the armpits will not be washed without one raising the hands, so they should be properly raised. One must also wash every angle of the shoulder and every spot of the back.
Are there any cautions when washing the stomach area?
Yes, especially if one has a belly, he or she must lift the folds of the stomach and wash thoroughly.
Many people say that there is no need to wash inside the navel. Is this correct?
One must clean the navel, by inserting the finger into it, if there is doubt with regards to water reaching it.
References:
Bahar e Shariat vol. 2, Sadr al-Shariah Allama Amjad Ali Aazmi
Bukhari, Muslim
Anwar e Shariat, Faqih e Millat, al-Imam Mufti Jalal-ud-din Ahmad Amjadi
[ English Translation ]
Mufti Afthab Cassim al-Qadri Ridawi Noori,
Imam Mustafa Raza Research Center,
Durban, South Africa.