Sunnah Method of Ghusl al-Janābah for Women

Sunnah Method of Ghusl al-Janābah for Women


Author: Qārī Usāmah bin ʿAbd al-Salām

Question:​

What is the method of performing Ghusl al-Janābah for women according to the Qur’ān and Ḥadīth?

Answer:​

According to the Qur’ān and Sunnah, the method of Ghusl al-Janābah for women is essentially the same as for men, with a few specific instructions given by the Prophet ﷺ for women.

Evidence from the Qur’ān​

﴿وَإِن كُنتُمْ جُنُبًا فَاطَّهَّرُوا﴾
“And if you are in a state of janābah, then purify yourselves.”
(Al-Māʾidah: 6)


This verse establishes the obligation of Ghusl al-Janābah for both men and women.

Step-by-Step Method from Ḥadīth​

➊ Make intention (niyyah)
Before starting, intend in the heart that this ghusl is for removing the state of janābah.


➋ Say “Bismillāh”
Begin the ghusl with the name of Allāh.


➌ Wash the hands
ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنها narrated:


كَانَ رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ ﷺ إِذَا اغْتَسَلَ مِنَ الْجَنَابَةِ، بَدَأَ فَغَسَلَ يَدَيْهِ…
When the Prophet ﷺ performed ghusl for janābah, he began by washing his hands…
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, ḥadīth: 248)


➍ Cleanse private parts
Wash the private area with the hand to remove impurity.


➎ Perform wuḍūʾ
Make ablution as for prayer.


➏ Pour water on the head
ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنها said:


ثُمَّ يُفِيضُ عَلَى رَأْسِهِ ثَلَاثَ غَرَفَاتٍ، ثُمَّ يُفِيضُ الْمَاءَ عَلَى سَائِرِ جَسَدِهِ
Then he poured three handfuls of water over his head, then poured water over the rest of his body.
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, ḥadīth: 248)


➐ Specific instruction for women regarding hair
Umm Salamah رضي الله عنها said:


قُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ، إِنِّي امْرَأَةٌ أُشُدُّ ضَفَرَ رَأْسِي، أَفَأَنْقُضُهُ لِلْغُسْلِ مِنَ الْجَنَابَةِ؟
قَالَ: لَا، إِنَّمَا يَكْفِيكِ أَنْ تَحْثِي عَلَى رَأْسِكِ ثَلَاثَ حَثَيَاتٍ، ثُمَّ تُفِيضِينَ عَلَيْكِ الْمَاءَ، فَتَطْهُرِينَ
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, ḥadīth: 330)


Translation:
I said: “O Messenger of Allāh, I am a woman who braids her hair tightly, should I undo it for ghusl from janābah?” He ﷺ said: “No, it is sufficient for you to pour three handfuls of water over your head, then pour water over your whole body, and you will be purified.”

Summary — Easy Method for Women​

1. Intend ghusl for janābah.
2. Say Bismillāh.
3. Wash both hands and remove any impurity from the body.
4. Perform full wuḍūʾ.
5. Pour water on the head three times.
6. No need to undo tightly braided hair — ensure water reaches the roots.
7. Pour water over the whole body (right side first, then left).
8. If standing on unclean ground, wash feet at the end.

ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب