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Ghusl: the full ritual bath step by step
Ghusl is the ritual washing of the whole body. It is obligatory after major ritual impurity, before one can pray.
Ghusl in the Quran
“And if you are in a state of major impurity, then purify yourselves (by bathing).”
Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:6How to perform ghusl according to the Sunnah
- Make the intention in your heart and say Bismillah.
- Wash your hands three times.
- Wash the private parts with the left hand, then wash the hand well.
- Perform wudu as for prayer (the feet may be washed at the end).
- Pour water three times over the head, making it reach the roots of the hair.
- Pour water over the right side of the body, then the left side.
- Make sure water reaches the whole body: armpits, navel, folds, behind the knees.
- Wash the feet if not done during wudu.
Description based on the hadiths of ‘Aishah and Maymunah (Sahih al-Bukhari, 248 and 249).
Recommended ghusl
| Occasion | Source |
|---|---|
| Friday prayer | Sahih al-Bukhari, 877 |
| The two Eids | Practice of the Companions (Muwatta, 428) |
| Before the ihram of Hajj or Umrah | At-Tirmidhi, 830 |
| After washing a deceased person | Abu Dawud, 3161 |
Tayammum, when water is lacking
If water is unavailable or harmful to health, one performs tayammum: strike clean earth (or a stone surface) once with the hands, then wipe the face and the hands (Sahih al-Bukhari, 338). It replaces ghusl until water becomes available.
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You may be wondering…
When is ghusl obligatory?
After marital relations, after an ejaculation (even during sleep), at the end of menstruation and postnatal bleeding, for a deceased Muslim, and for someone embracing Islam according to several scholars.
What are the essentials of ghusl?
Two things make it valid: the intention in the heart, and making water flow over the whole body, hair and skin included, with rinsing the mouth and nose according to the Hanbalis. The rest is the recommended way of the Sunnah.
Does ghusl replace wudu?
Yes: if one intended purification and did not touch one’s private parts afterwards, ghusl is enough to pray. ‘Aishah said the Prophet ﷺ did not repeat wudu after ghusl (At-Tirmidhi, 107).
Must a woman undo her braids?
For ghusl after relations, no: Umm Salamah asked and the Prophet ﷺ answered that it was enough to pour three handfuls of water over her head (Sahih Muslim, 330). For the end of menstruation, many scholars recommend undoing them.
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