Islam is a complete code of life. It guides us about every aspect of life. It not only guides us about worshiping and rituals but also about how to purify ourselves. Cleanliness is half of faith. Ghusl is a way of cleaning our bodies and removing all the impurities.
Now you might have this question in your mind that what is meant by major impurities? Ghusl is a way to remove major impurities. How to remove minor impurities of the body?
What are major and minor impurities of the body?
There are some impurities like you eat something and the remains of food in your mouth, your hands contaminated with sand or blood coming out from your wound, stool, urination, etc. are minor impurities. You can remove all the minor impurities by performing wudu means ablution.
There are some conditions and requirements when Wudu is insufficient to remove all the impurities of your body. At that time, Islam guides us about performing Ghusl.
When Ghusl is necessary?
Ghusl is necessary for some circumstances. For instance, when the menstruation cycle ends every month, ejaculation, or after sexual intercourse. Similarly, when bleedings end after childbirth, and if bleeding does not occur then after 40 days or when a person dies a natural death.
When should we perform Ghusl voluntarily?
In the above conditions, it is necessary to perform ghusl. In few circumstances, it is suggested to perform Ghusl but not necessarily. If you have favorable circumstances, perform it because there will be a reward for this. Let me describe you some conditions like this. Before offering Jumma prayer, after providing Ghusl to a deceased person, before Eid prayers, before pilgrimage to Makkah are some examples where we should perform Ghusl.
What Is Ghusl?
Ghusl is a method to purify your body by following some sequential steps. In other words, it is a ritual bath. It is different from taking a shower.
Muslims follow some rules and restrictions to clean the whole body. It is suggested that they should perform ghusl once a week at least.
How to perform Ghusl?
One method of performing Ghusl is to follow only obligatory steps and another method is to follow a sequential strategy and perform all the steps one by one. This second method is how our Holy Prophet (PBUH) performed Ghusl. Now, let’s discuss both of these methods in detail.
Obligatory steps Ghusl:
Obligatory steps Ghusl starts with intention (Niyah in Arabic). You must have a clear intention to perform Ghusl. There should be no contamination or impurity on your body and water should fully reach every part of the skin and base of the hair. Rinse water through mouth and nose. These are obligatory steps. If you have performed these steps, your Ghusl is complete. It is the quickest method to do Ghusl.
What is the method to perform Ghusl according to Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH)?
Now, this method is how our Holy Prophet (PBUH) performed Ghusl. Read this method in detail.
Some pre-Ghusl preparations:
Pre-Ghusl preparations are necessary and you should do these preparations before starting Ghusl. First of all, find a private area because you cannot perform Ghusl in front of the public or any man or woman. Make arrangements for a water source. Your Ghusl water should not be contaminated, used, or impure. Natural water coming out of the water tap is fine. Water should not be contaminated. i.e., sewage water or waste containing waste, etc.
Apart from this, remove anything painted on your body or if you are wearing it. i.e., jewelry or nail paint, etc. You must take off anything that acts as a barrier for water to reach every part of your skin. Water must reach every tiniest part of your body and no single part is left.
These were some of the pre-Ghusl preparations and subsequent details provide you step-wise details.
1. Intention of doing Ghusl: (Niyyah)
Niyyah means the intention of purifying your body. Niyyah holds a special place in every Islamic action. You should first have this intention that you are going to perform this ritual bath to clean your body as ordered by Allah.
2. Read Bismillah:
After making an intention, start your ghusl by reciting Bismillah "In the name of Allah, the most gracious, the Most Merciful". Islam suggests reciting Bismillah before every action and so recite it before this ritual as well.
3.Wash your hands:
Now start your ghusl manually by washing your hands three times from the tip of your fingers to the wrists. Gently rub your skin. Wash gaps between your fingers properly. For this, you can use your second hand to make sure complete cleanliness of your hands.
4.Wash private parts:
After washing your hands, wash your private parts. There should be no impurity left. Make sure to complete cleaning of your private parts because if there is any impurity left on your body, it will nullify your Ghusl.
5.Perform complete Wudu:
According to the Sunnah method, you should perform complete Wudu without washing your feet. If you do not know how to perform ablution or want to evaluate your way of performing ablution then CLICK HERE. Do not wash your feet.
6.Wash complete body
After performing ablution, it's time to wash the complete body. It's time to pour water on your head. Wash your head from the hair to the neck region. Water must reach the base of hair because it is necessary for performing correct Ghusl. If men or women have braids, make sure water reaches the base of the braids. If water does not reach the base of braids then unplait them before Ghusl and then wash your hair. According to some scholars, pour water on the right side of the body first and the left side later. On the other hand, some scholars suggest that wash your body without considering left or right.
If you follow the prior group, then wash the neck, chest, arm, belly, and legs of the right side first and left side later. Keep in mind that you have to repeat this action of body washing three times.
7. Wash your feet:
According to few narrations, Holy Prophet got away from the place of taking Ghusl and then washed the feet. Hence, we can say that Holy Prophet washed his feet only when is required. It can be any reason.i.e., feet are dirty, the floor is contaminated, etc. So, wash your feet if your feet are dirty or the floor is not clean, etc.
If you have performed Ghusl in this way, you have performed it correctly. Be thankful to Allah.
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