Rulings of Ghusl Explained in the Light of Qur’an and Hadith

Qur’an and Hadith in the Light of Jurisprudential Rulings & Issues
Volume 01 – Page 59

Question​

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you.

Rulings of Ghusl (Ritual Bath)

Answer (With the Help of Allah, Subject to the Validity of the Question)​

وعلیکم السلام ورحمة الله وبرکاته!
And peace and mercy of Allah be upon you as well.

الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
All praise is for Allah, and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:

In the previous discussions, you studied the rulings of purification related to ḥadath aṣghar (minor impurity), namely the issues of wuḍū’, the matters that invalidate wuḍū’, and their various forms.

Now, the rulings of purification related to ḥadath akbar (major impurity) are being explained, which include janābah, ḥayḍ, and nifās. This purification is called ghusl, in which water is poured over the entire body according to a prescribed method. Its details are explained below.

It should be clearly understood that ghusl due to janābah is obligatory, as Allah the Exalted says:

"وَإِن كُنتُمْ جُنُبًا فَاطَّهَّرُوا"
“And if you are in a state of janābah, then purify yourselves thoroughly.”

Reference: Al-Mā’idah: 5/6

The scholars have stated that even during the pre-Islamic era, ghusl due to janābah was practiced, and it was among the teachings of the religion of Ibrāhīm عليه السلام, which continued among the Arabs generation after generation.

Causes That Make Ghusl Obligatory​

If any one of the following six matters occurs to a Muslim, ghusl becomes obligatory:

① Discharge of Semen​

Whether male or female, if semen is discharged from the private part, it necessitates ghusl. This has two forms:

❀ Discharge while awake:
If semen is discharged while awake, the presence of pleasure is a condition for ghusl to be obligatory. If semen is discharged without pleasure, such as due to illness, ghusl is not obligatory.

❀ Discharge during sleep (Iḥtilām):
If semen is discharged during sleep, it is called iḥtilām (wet dream). In this case, ghusl becomes obligatory, because a sleeping person is unaware of pleasure or lack thereof.
Therefore, if a person wakes up and sees traces of semen, ghusl is obligatory. If one remembers a dream but finds neither semen nor its traces, then ghusl is not obligatory.

② Sexual Intercourse​

If, during intercourse, the male organ enters the female private part, ghusl becomes obligatory upon both, whether semen is discharged or not.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

"إِذَا جَلَسَ بَيْنَ شُعَبِهَا الأَرْبَعِ وَمَسَّ الْخِتَانُ الْخِتَانَ فَقَدْ وَجَبَ الْغُسْلُ"
“When a man sits between her four limbs and the circumcised parts meet, ghusl becomes obligatory.”

Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 291

;

Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 349

Based on this ḥadīth and the consensus of the scholars, it is established that ghusl is obligatory upon both the man and the woman, whether ejaculation occurs or not.

③ Accepting Islam​

According to a group of scholars, when a person leaves disbelief and enters Islam, ghusl becomes obligatory, because the Messenger of Allah ﷺ commanded some new Muslims to perform ghusl.

Reference: Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 355

;

Reference: Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī: 605

However, according to the majority of scholars, ghusl for a new Muslim is recommended, not obligatory, because it is not established that the Prophet ﷺ ordered every new Muslim to perform ghusl.

④ Death​

When a Muslim passes away, it is obligatory to give him ghusl. However, the one who is martyred in the battlefield is not given ghusl. Its details will come in the chapter of funeral rulings, inshā’ Allah.

⑤ Completion of Ḥayḍ or Nifās​

When a woman’s menstrual or postnatal bleeding ends, ghusl becomes obligatory upon her. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to a woman:

"وَإِذَا أَدْبَرَتْ فَاغْتَسِلِي وَصَلِّي"
“When the days of menstruation end, then perform ghusl and pray.”

Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 320

;

Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 333

Allah the Exalted also says:

"فَإِذَا تَطَهَّرْنَ"
“Then when they have purified themselves.”

Reference: Al-Baqarah: 2/222

Meaning: after the end of menstruation, attain purity through ghusl.

Method of Complete Ghusl​

❀ First, make the intention in the heart.
❀ Then recite Bismillāh.
❀ Wash both hands three times.
❀ Wash the private parts.
❀ Perform complete wuḍū’.
❀ Pour three handfuls of water over the head and ensure the roots of the hair are wetted.
❀ Then pour water over the entire body, first the right side, then the left.
❀ Rub the body well with the hands so that water reaches every part.

For a woman becoming pure from ḥayḍ or nifās, it is necessary to undo her hair while performing ghusl. However, in ghusl due to janābah, it is not obligatory for a woman to undo her hair due to hardship, though water must reach the roots.

Whether male or female, the one performing ghusl due to janābah must ensure water reaches every part of the body, especially:

◈ Roots of the hair
◈ Hidden parts of the body
◈ Beneath the throat
◈ Inside the navel
◈ Under the armpits and behind the knees

If one is wearing a watch or ring, it should be moved so that water reaches underneath. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

"تَحْتَ كُلِّ شَعْرَةٍ جَنَابَةٌ فَاغْسِلُوا الشَّعْرَ وَأَنْقوُا الْبَشَرَ"
“Under every hair there is janābah, so wash the hair and cleanse the skin thoroughly.”
ref Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 248[/ref];

Reference: Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī: 106

⑥ Avoiding Extravagance in Ghusl​

One should not be wasteful in using water during ghusl. The Sunnah is to perform a complete ghusl with minimal water. It is reported:

"كَانَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ يَتَوَضَّأُ بِالْمُدِّ، وَيَغْتَسِلُ بِالصَّاعِ"
“The Prophet ﷺ would perform wuḍū’ with one mudd and ghusl with one ṣāʿ.”

Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 201

;

Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 325

⑦ Observing Modesty During Ghusl​

One should take special care of modesty while performing ghusl and should not bathe naked in front of people. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

"إِنّ اللهَ عزّ وَجَلّ حَلِيمٌ حَيّ سِتّيرٌ، يُحِبّ الحَيَاءَ والسّتْرَ، فَإِذَا اغْتَسَلَ أَحَدُكُمُ فَلْيَسْتتِرْ"
“Indeed Allah is Forbearing, Modest, and Concealing; He loves modesty and concealment. So when one of you bathes, let him conceal himself.”

Reference: Sunan Abī Dāwūd: 4012

;

Reference: Sunan al-Nasā’ī: 406, 407

⑧ Ghusl Is a Sharʿī Trust​

Ghusl due to janābah is a trust between the servant and his Lord. Therefore, it is obligatory upon the servant to preserve its rulings and perform it according to the Sunnah. If one is unaware of the rulings of ghusl, he should ask the scholars without hesitation, because the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

"والله لا يستحيي من الحق"
“Allah does not feel shy in stating the truth.”

Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 130

;

Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 282

;

Reference: Sunan al-Nasā’ī: 196

That modesty which prevents one from learning religious knowledge is blameworthy and is considered a satanic weakness. Shayṭān does not want a person to become complete in his religion. Purification is a great matter, and negligence in it is extremely dangerous, because prayer—the pillar of the religion—depends upon purification.

May Allah Almighty grant us and all Muslims religious insight and sincerity in word and deed.

ھذا ما عندي واللہ اعلم بالصواب