Ghusl (Arabic: غسل) literally means washing. In Islamic terminology, it refers to the complete ritual purification of the entire body with water, with the intention of removing a state of major ritual impurity (Hadath Akbar).
Wudu is for minor impurities (e.g., after urinating, passing gas), while Ghusl is for major impurities. Wudu involves washing specific parts, Ghusl involves washing the entire body.
Ghusl is essential for a Muslim to be in a state of purity (Taharah) to perform certain acts of worship, such as Salah (prayer), circumambulating the Ka’bah (Tawaf), and touching the Qur’an. It purifies both the body and soul.
Types of Ghusl
There are two main categories of Ghusl:
A. Obligatory Ghusl (Ghusl Wajib): This type of Ghusl is compulsory and must be performed to become pure.
B. Recommended/Sunnah Ghusl): This type of Ghusl is highly recommended and brings extra reward, but is not compulsory. Examples include:
1. Before the Jumu’ah (Friday) prayer.
2. Before the Eid prayers (Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha).
3. Before entering the state of Ihram for Hajj or Umrah.
4. After washing a deceased person.
5. On the Day of Arafat (for pilgrims).
Examples of Obligatory Ghusl (Ghusl Wajib) are:
1. Ghusl al-Janabah (غسل الجنابة): This is the Ghusl performed after a state of Janabah. Janabah is a state of major impurity that happens to both boys and girls, men and women. It occurs in two main ways:
1. After sexual intercourse: When a husband and wife come together.
2. After seminal emission (wet dreams): This happens when a person releases semen (a thick fluid) from their body, usually during sleep. For boys, this is often called a “wet dream.” For girls, a similar fluid can be released. This is a normal part of growing up and puberty for both boys and girls.
Ghusl Janabah is performed to remove this state of major impurity. You cannot observe salat , touch the Qur’an, or perform Tawaf (going round the Ka’bah) while in a state of Janabah.
When do we perform Ghusl Janabah?
For adults: After husband-and-wife relations.
For teenagers (boys and girls): After experiencing a wet dream. When you wake up and see a stain or feel something on your clothes or bed, you need to perform Ghusl. (CONSULT YOUR PARENTS FOR FURTHER EXPLANATION)
2. Ghusl Duhul al-Islam (غسل دخول الإسلام): This is the Ghusl performed when someone accepts Islam for the first time. A non-Muslim person who decides to become a Muslim.When someone embraces Islam, it’s like starting a brand new, clean life. Performing Ghusl symbolizes this complete spiritual and physical purification. It’s a way of washing away their past non-Islamic state and entering into Islam in a state of purity.
3. Ghusl al-Mayyit (غسل الميّت) also called Ghusl Janazah:This is the Ghusl performed for a deceased Muslim person. It’s the washing of the dead body.Living Muslims perform this Ghusl on the deceased Muslim. It’s a mark of respect for the deceased. Just as we try to be pure in life, a Muslim should be buried in a state of purity. It also prepares the body for burial.After a Muslim person dies, and before their burial (Janazah prayer).Martyrs (Shahid) who die fighting in the path of Allah are generally not given Ghusl. They are buried in their clothes as a sign of their sacrifice and purity from their blood.
4. Ghusl al-Hayd (غسل الحيض): This is the Ghusl performed by women after their menstrual period (Hayd) has ended.
Hayd is the natural bleeding that occurs from a girl’s/woman’s body usually once a month, commonly known as a “period.” During this time, women are in a state of major impurity.During menstruation, women cannot pray(salah), fast, touch the Qur’an, or perform Tawaf. Once the bleeding completely stops, they must perform Ghusl al-Hayd to become pure again and resume these acts of worship(pray(salah), fast, touch the Qur’an, or perform Tawaf).
Ghusl hayd is perform as soon as the menstrual bleeding completely stops, and before the next prayer time.
5. Ghusl an-Nifas (غسل النفاس):This is the Ghusl performed by women after postpartum bleeding (Nifas) has ended. Only women who have recently given birth.
Nifas is the bleeding that occurs from a woman’s body after childbirth. It can last for a few days up to 40 days, but can be shorter or longer for some. Like Hayd, during Nifas, women are in a state of major impurity.Similar to Hayd, women in Nifas cannot pray, fast, touch the Qur’an, or perform Tawaf. Once the bleeding completely stops, they must perform Ghusl an-Nifas to become pure again and resume these acts of worship.