Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Namāz-e-Nabawī ﷺ authored by Shaykh ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ʿAzīz, published by Maktabah Dār al-Andalus
Section: Rulings Related to Ghusl (Ritual Bath)
❖ Just like every act of worship, ghusl is only valid if it conforms to the Sunnah. Otherwise, it is invalid.
Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا ٱلرَّسُولَ وَلَا تُبۡطِلُوٓاْ أَعۡمَٰلَكُم
“O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and do not nullify your deeds.”
[Sūrah Muḥammad: 33]
❖ Intention (niyyah) is essential — make the intention for purification.
❖ First, wash both hands, cleanse any impurity using the left hand, and perform istinjā’. Clean the hands with soil, soap, or other cleaning agents.
❖ Then perform wuḍūʾ (ablution), omitting the wiping of the head and washing of the feet. (The full method of wuḍūʾ is explained in its relevant section.)
❖ Wet the fingers and run them through the hair to ensure water reaches the scalp, then pour water over the head three times, ensuring water reaches the roots of the hair.
❖ Pour water in the following sequence: ① right side ② left side ③ middle of the body.
❖ Wash the entire body thoroughly.
❖ Move aside and wash the feet.
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 248, 272, 274 | Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 316]
If a woman has braids, she does not need to undo them. It suffices to pour three handfuls of water over the head.
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 330]
This ruling applies to both ḥayḍ (menstruation) and janābah, as stated in another narration of the same ḥadīth:
"Should I undo them (braids) during ḥayḍ and janābah?"
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
"No, there is no need."
As for the narration in Bukhārī (316) and Ṣaḥīḥah (188) where the Prophet ﷺ instructed ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنها to undo her hair — that was not for ghusl al-ḥayḍ, but ghusl for iḥrām, since she was still in her menses at that time.
Soap and shampoo are not obligatory in ghusl. However, using them is permissible.
Ghusl should be performed with proper covering.
❖ Sayyidah Maymūnah رضي الله عنها reported:
“I screened the Prophet ﷺ while he was bathing.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 281 | Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 337]
❖ It is permissible to bathe naked when alone, but it is more virtuous to cover oneself.
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 278 | Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 4012 – Authentic]
A husband and wife can bathe together.
Sayyidah ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنها said:
“The Prophet ﷺ and I used to perform ghusl from a single container; our hands would alternate in it.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 261 | Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 321]
If one performs ghusl including the parts of wuḍūʾ, then a separate wuḍūʾ is not required for prayer.
Sayyidah ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنها reported:
“The Prophet ﷺ would not perform wuḍūʾ after ghusl.”
[Sunan al-Nasāʾī: 253 | Sunan al-Tirmidhī: 107 – Ṣaḥīḥ]
➤ However, if one’s wuḍūʾ breaks during ghusl (e.g. by touching private parts), a new wuḍūʾ is required for prayer.
When ghusl becomes obligatory, wiping over socks is no longer valid. One must remove them and wash the feet.
Sayyidunā Ṣafwān ibn ʿAssāl رضي الله عنه said:
“The Prophet ﷺ used to command us — while traveling — not to remove our leather socks for three days and nights due to defecation, urination, or sleep — but in the case of janābah, they had to be removed.”
[Sunan al-Tirmidhī: 96 | Sunan al-Nasāʾī: 127 | Ibn Mājah: 478 – Ḥasan]
One should use only as much water as necessary. Excessive use is sinful.
Allah says:
وَلَا تُسْرِفُوا۟ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُسۡرِفِينَ
“Do not be extravagant. Surely, Allah does not love the extravagant.”
[Sūrah al-Anʿām: 141]
The Prophet ﷺ would perform ghusl with about 1 ṣāʿ (~2–3 liters).
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 201 | Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 325]
It is obligatory in five cases:
① Sexual intercourse
② Emission of semen (wet dream)
③ Menstruation
④ Postnatal bleeding
⑤ Upon embracing Islam
⑥ Upon death (before burial)
Ghusl is obligatory even without ejaculation.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"When a man sits between her four limbs and exerts himself, then ghusl becomes obligatory, even if ejaculation does not occur."
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 291 | Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 348]
❖ Performing ṣalāh and ṭawāf are prohibited.
❖ Delaying ghusl without excuse is sinful. One must hasten to purify themselves.
It is better to perform ghusl before engaging in intercourse again.
Abū Rāfiʿ رضي الله عنه reported:
“The Prophet ﷺ would visit his wives in one night and perform ghusl after each. He was asked: ‘Is one ghusl not sufficient?’ He replied: ‘This is more clean, better, and purer.’”
[Sunan Ibn Mājah: 590 | Abū Dāwūd: 219 – Ḥasan]
If one does not want to perform full ghusl, doing wuḍūʾ before the next intercourse is recommended.
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 308]
❖ If semen exits due to a dream (with desire), ghusl is obligatory.
❖ If traces of semen are found on the clothes but the dream is not remembered — still ghusl is required.
❖ If a dream occurs but no traces are found — ghusl is not required.
[Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 236 | Tirmidhī: 113 | Ibn Mājah: 612 – Ḥasan]
❖ For both, istinjāʾ and wuḍūʾ are required, not ghusl.
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 269 | Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 303]
❖ Ḥayḍ: dark blood, usually lasting 3–7 days.
❖ Nifās: postpartum bleeding, commonly lasts up to 40 days.
[Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 312 | Irwāʾ al-Ghalīl: 201 – Ṣaḥīḥ]
❖ Ghusl becomes obligatory after bleeding ends.
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 320 | Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 334/65]
❖ Use of perfume is encouraged post-ghusl.
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 315 | Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 749]
They may not:
① Pray
② Fast
③ Perform ṭawāf
④ Engage in sexual intercourse
They may do all other actions.
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 283 | Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 371]
Obligations missed:
If menstruation begins after the time of prayer has entered, that prayer must be made up later.
There is no sound and explicit ḥadīth prohibiting the recitation of Qur’an during menstruation or janābah. Therefore, such recitation is permissible, and one may also touch the Qur’an using a cloth.
The Prophet ﷺ told ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنها when she hesitated to pass something due to menstruation:
"Your menstruation is not in your hands."
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 298]
Sayyidah Umm ʿAṭiyyah رضي الله عنها said:
“We used to not consider yellow or brownish discharge as anything (impure).”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 326]
When someone embraces Islam, they should perform ghusl before being taught the shahādah.
Sayyidunā Qays ibn ʿĀṣim رضي الله عنه said:
“When I accepted Islam, the Prophet ﷺ instructed me to perform ghusl with water and lote leaves.”
[Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 355 – Authentic]
It is obligatory to bathe a deceased Muslim. (Details in funeral section.)
❖ Ghusl should be performed promptly when due.
❖ Women are not required to bathe at the exact moment of menstruation’s end — but should not delay without reason.
❖ If no time or water is available, one may perform basic duties even while in janābah, but wuḍūʾ is preferred.
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 307]
He must repeat the prayer after ghusl, but the congregation is not required to repeat it.
[Al-Muwaṭṭaʾ: 113 | Al-Sunan al-Kubrā of al-Bayhaqī: 1/170, ḥadīth: 501]
One single ghusl suffices for multiple intentions of ritual purification.
Section: Rulings Related to Ghusl (Ritual Bath)
✿ The Sunnah Method of Ghusl al-Janābah (Ritual Bath After Major Impurity)
❖ Just like every act of worship, ghusl is only valid if it conforms to the Sunnah. Otherwise, it is invalid.
Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا ٱلرَّسُولَ وَلَا تُبۡطِلُوٓاْ أَعۡمَٰلَكُم
“O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and do not nullify your deeds.”
[Sūrah Muḥammad: 33]❖ Intention (niyyah) is essential — make the intention for purification.
❖ First, wash both hands, cleanse any impurity using the left hand, and perform istinjā’. Clean the hands with soil, soap, or other cleaning agents.
❖ Then perform wuḍūʾ (ablution), omitting the wiping of the head and washing of the feet. (The full method of wuḍūʾ is explained in its relevant section.)
❖ Wet the fingers and run them through the hair to ensure water reaches the scalp, then pour water over the head three times, ensuring water reaches the roots of the hair.
❖ Pour water in the following sequence: ① right side ② left side ③ middle of the body.
❖ Wash the entire body thoroughly.
❖ Move aside and wash the feet.
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 248, 272, 274 | Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 316]✿ Ruling for Women with Braided Hair
If a woman has braids, she does not need to undo them. It suffices to pour three handfuls of water over the head.
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 330]This ruling applies to both ḥayḍ (menstruation) and janābah, as stated in another narration of the same ḥadīth:
"Should I undo them (braids) during ḥayḍ and janābah?"
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
"No, there is no need."
As for the narration in Bukhārī (316) and Ṣaḥīḥah (188) where the Prophet ﷺ instructed ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنها to undo her hair — that was not for ghusl al-ḥayḍ, but ghusl for iḥrām, since she was still in her menses at that time.
✿ Using Soap or Shampoo in Ghusl
Soap and shampoo are not obligatory in ghusl. However, using them is permissible.
✿ Being Unclothed During Ghusl
Ghusl should be performed with proper covering.
❖ Sayyidah Maymūnah رضي الله عنها reported:
“I screened the Prophet ﷺ while he was bathing.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 281 | Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 337]❖ It is permissible to bathe naked when alone, but it is more virtuous to cover oneself.
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 278 | Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 4012 – Authentic]✿ A Husband and Wife Bathing Together
A husband and wife can bathe together.
Sayyidah ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنها said:
“The Prophet ﷺ and I used to perform ghusl from a single container; our hands would alternate in it.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 261 | Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 321]✿ Is Wuḍūʾ Required After Ghusl?
If one performs ghusl including the parts of wuḍūʾ, then a separate wuḍūʾ is not required for prayer.
Sayyidah ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنها reported:
“The Prophet ﷺ would not perform wuḍūʾ after ghusl.”
[Sunan al-Nasāʾī: 253 | Sunan al-Tirmidhī: 107 – Ṣaḥīḥ]➤ However, if one’s wuḍūʾ breaks during ghusl (e.g. by touching private parts), a new wuḍūʾ is required for prayer.
✿ Wiping Over Socks is Invalid for Ghusl
When ghusl becomes obligatory, wiping over socks is no longer valid. One must remove them and wash the feet.
Sayyidunā Ṣafwān ibn ʿAssāl رضي الله عنه said:
“The Prophet ﷺ used to command us — while traveling — not to remove our leather socks for three days and nights due to defecation, urination, or sleep — but in the case of janābah, they had to be removed.”
[Sunan al-Tirmidhī: 96 | Sunan al-Nasāʾī: 127 | Ibn Mājah: 478 – Ḥasan]✿ Amount of Water in Ghusl
One should use only as much water as necessary. Excessive use is sinful.
Allah says:
وَلَا تُسْرِفُوا۟ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُسۡرِفِينَ
“Do not be extravagant. Surely, Allah does not love the extravagant.”
[Sūrah al-Anʿām: 141]The Prophet ﷺ would perform ghusl with about 1 ṣāʿ (~2–3 liters).
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 201 | Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 325]✿ When is Ghusl Obligatory?
It is obligatory in five cases:
① Sexual intercourse
② Emission of semen (wet dream)
③ Menstruation
④ Postnatal bleeding
⑤ Upon embracing Islam
⑥ Upon death (before burial)
✿ Ghusl Due to Intercourse
Ghusl is obligatory even without ejaculation.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"When a man sits between her four limbs and exerts himself, then ghusl becomes obligatory, even if ejaculation does not occur."
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 291 | Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 348]✿ Prohibited Acts in the State of Janābah
❖ Performing ṣalāh and ṭawāf are prohibited.
❖ Delaying ghusl without excuse is sinful. One must hasten to purify themselves.
✿ Ghusl Between Intercourse
It is better to perform ghusl before engaging in intercourse again.
Abū Rāfiʿ رضي الله عنه reported:
“The Prophet ﷺ would visit his wives in one night and perform ghusl after each. He was asked: ‘Is one ghusl not sufficient?’ He replied: ‘This is more clean, better, and purer.’”
[Sunan Ibn Mājah: 590 | Abū Dāwūd: 219 – Ḥasan]If one does not want to perform full ghusl, doing wuḍūʾ before the next intercourse is recommended.
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 308]✿ Wet Dream (Iḥtilām)
❖ If semen exits due to a dream (with desire), ghusl is obligatory.
❖ If traces of semen are found on the clothes but the dream is not remembered — still ghusl is required.
❖ If a dream occurs but no traces are found — ghusl is not required.
[Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 236 | Tirmidhī: 113 | Ibn Mājah: 612 – Ḥasan]✿ Madhī and Wadhī
- Madhī: thin, sticky fluid discharged due to desire.
- Wadhī: thick white fluid discharged before/after urination.
❖ For both, istinjāʾ and wuḍūʾ are required, not ghusl.
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 269 | Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 303]✿ Menstruation (Ḥayḍ) and Postnatal Bleeding (Nifās)
❖ Ḥayḍ: dark blood, usually lasting 3–7 days.
❖ Nifās: postpartum bleeding, commonly lasts up to 40 days.
[Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 312 | Irwāʾ al-Ghalīl: 201 – Ṣaḥīḥ]❖ Ghusl becomes obligatory after bleeding ends.
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 320 | Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 334/65]❖ Use of perfume is encouraged post-ghusl.
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 315 | Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 749]✿ Prohibitions for Menstruating and Postnatal Women
They may not:
① Pray
② Fast
③ Perform ṭawāf
④ Engage in sexual intercourse
They may do all other actions.
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 283 | Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 371]Obligations missed:
- Fasts must be made up.
- Prayers do not require makeup.
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 335/69]
If menstruation begins after the time of prayer has entered, that prayer must be made up later.
✿ Can a Menstruating Woman Recite the Qur'an?
There is no sound and explicit ḥadīth prohibiting the recitation of Qur’an during menstruation or janābah. Therefore, such recitation is permissible, and one may also touch the Qur’an using a cloth.
The Prophet ﷺ told ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنها when she hesitated to pass something due to menstruation:
"Your menstruation is not in your hands."
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 298]✿ Non-Menstrual Discharge (e.g. Whitish or Yellowish Fluid)
Sayyidah Umm ʿAṭiyyah رضي الله عنها said:
“We used to not consider yellow or brownish discharge as anything (impure).”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 326]✿ Ghusl Upon Embracing Islam
When someone embraces Islam, they should perform ghusl before being taught the shahādah.
Sayyidunā Qays ibn ʿĀṣim رضي الله عنه said:
“When I accepted Islam, the Prophet ﷺ instructed me to perform ghusl with water and lote leaves.”
[Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 355 – Authentic]✿ Ghusl of a Deceased Muslim
It is obligatory to bathe a deceased Muslim. (Details in funeral section.)
✿ Additional Rulings on Ghusl
❖ Ghusl should be performed promptly when due.
❖ Women are not required to bathe at the exact moment of menstruation’s end — but should not delay without reason.
❖ If no time or water is available, one may perform basic duties even while in janābah, but wuḍūʾ is preferred.
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 307]✿ What If One Prays While in Janābah Unknowingly?
He must repeat the prayer after ghusl, but the congregation is not required to repeat it.
[Al-Muwaṭṭaʾ: 113 | Al-Sunan al-Kubrā of al-Bayhaqī: 1/170, ḥadīth: 501]✿ Multiple Obligatory Ghusls Together
One single ghusl suffices for multiple intentions of ritual purification.
✿ Recommended (Mustaḥabb) Ghusl Occasions
- Jumuʿah (Friday) — detailed in the Jumuʿah section.
- After bathing a deceased person — detailed in the Janāzah section.
- Eid prayers — detailed in the Eid section.
- Before wearing Iḥrām — based on:
"I saw the Prophet ﷺ bathe before donning iḥrām."
[Sunan al-Tirmidhī: 830 – Authentic]
- Before entering Makkah — Ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما would spend the night at Dhū Ṭuwā, pray Fajr, perform ghusl, then enter Makkah during daylight.
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1259]
