How to perform ghusl
What is ghusl?
Ghusl is the full ritual bath required in Islam to lift major impurity and enter a state of purity. It is not simply washing for physical cleanliness but a spiritual purification, preparing the believer to stand before Allah in a state of dignity and purity.
When ghusl becomes obligatory
Ghusl becomes required in the following situations:
- After marital relations
• After ejaculation (whether awake or during sleep)
• After menstruation ends
• After postpartum bleeding ends
• It is recommended by not obligatory when a person embraces Islam
• When a person dies (as part of washing the deceased)
The minimum required for a valid ghusl
All four Sunni schools agree that a ghusl is valid if two essential acts are completed:
- Niyyah (intention) in the heart to lift major impurity
- Ensuring water reaches every part of the body, including:
• Roots of the hair
• Skin beneath thick hair
• Inside the navel
• Between fingers and toes
The Hanafi madhhab also emphasises rinsing the mouth and nose because they are considered internal parts of the body. The Shafi‘i view classifies mouth and nose rinsing as sunnah, not compulsory.
To be safe and include all opinions, every ghusl should include rinsing the mouth and nose thoroughly.
The sunnah method of ghusl
The Prophet ﷺ taught a complete method of ghusl. This is the most recommended way to perform ghusl.
- Begin with the intention
Make the niyyah in your heart:
“I intend to perform ghusl to lift major impurity.”
No verbal statement is needed. - Say bismillah
As with other acts of purification. - Wash the hands three times
Ensuring water reaches between the fingers. - Wash the private parts
Remove any impurity from the front and back. - Perform a full wudu
Including rinsing the mouth and nose.
You may delay washing the feet until the end if water gathers at your feet. - Pour water over the head three times
Ensuring it reaches the scalp and roots of the hair.
Women do not need to undo braids unless water cannot reach the roots. - Wash the right side of the body then the left
Making sure water reaches every part, including the armpits, behind the knees, between the toes, and inside the navel. - Wash the feet if not washed earlier.
This completes the ghusl of the Prophet ﷺ and is both valid and rewarded.
Important points about ghusl
- Soap and shampoo are allowed but not required.
• Rubbing the body (dalak) is sunnah according to many scholars and obligatory according to Maliki fiqh, but easy to fulfil with normal bathing.
• Standing water that does not flow is valid, though flowing water is preferred.
• You do not need to wash each body part three times; one thorough wash is enough.
• A single ghusl may cover multiple intentions (e.g. after janabah and for Jumʿah).
Common reasons ghusl becomes invalid or incomplete
Many people do ghusl incorrectly because:
- Hair roots are not fully wet
• Back of the neck and ears left dry
• Inside the naval forgotten
• Long or thick hair not saturated
• Mouth and nose not rinsed (especially in Hanafi fiqh)
• Artificial barriers on the skin (heavy makeup, waterproof paint, thick creams)
If any required part of the body remains dry, ghusl is incomplete.
Ghusl for women: special notes
- Taking down hair is not required if water can reach the roots.
• During menstruation, ghusl is performed only after bleeding stops.
• It is sunnah to comb water through the hair with fingers.
• Vaginal discharge that is not the ending of menses does not require ghusl (only wudu).
Ghusl without access to water
If no water is available, or using water is harmful due to illness, a person may perform tayammum instead. The intention is the same, and tayammum temporarily replaces ghusl until water becomes available.
How often should ghusl be performed?
Besides times when it is obligatory, it is sunnah or highly recommended:
- Before Jumʿah
• Before entering the state of ihram
• After burying the deceased
• On Eid days
• Before major gatherings or worship
Frequent ghusl increases physical cleanliness and spiritual clarity.
Ghusl washes the body and refreshes the soul. It prepares the believer to stand before Allah in a state of purity. By learning the prophetic method and performing it with intention and mindfulness, one gains both physical cleanliness and spiritual reward.