Method of Ghusl (Ḥanafī)

Make the following intention in heart without uttering any word with the tongue: “I am going to take a bath for acquiring purity.” First, wash both hands up to the wrist three times. Wash the excretory organs, whether impurity is present or not. Now, if there is impurity on any part of the body, remove it. Perform Wuḍū as done for Ṣalāĥ, but do not wash feet. In the case of performing Ghusl on a stool, wash your feet as well. Now, moisten the body with a wet hand, especially in winter (during this, soap may be applied). Now, pour water three times over the right shoulder, three times on the left shoulder, on the head and then three times on the whole body. Now, shift apart from the place of Ghusl and wash your feet if not washed during Wuḍū. Do not face the Qiblaĥ during Ghusl. During a bath, rub all the body by hands. Take a bath at a place where nobody can see you. If such a place is not available, a man should cover his Sitr [from navel up to (including) knees] with a thick cloth. If thick cloth is not available, two or more thin cloths can be wrapped on Sitr as thin cloth will stick with the body and colour of thighs/knees may be exposed (Allāĥ عَزَّوَجَلَّ forbid). A woman must take more caution. Neither talk during Ghusl nor recite any invocation. After a bath, the body may be wiped with a towel, etc. Wear clothes immediately after the completion of Ghusl. If it is not a Makrūĥ time, offering two Rak’āt Ṣalāĥ is Mustaḥab. (Well-Known books of Ḥanafī jurisprudence)

What are the Faraid of Ghusl?

Three Faraid of Ghusl

1. Rinsing the mouth

2. Sniffing water into the nose

 3. Pouring water on the whole apparent body. (Fatawa-e-Alamgiri, Pg. 13, Vol. 1)

Rinsing the Mouth

Taking a little water into the mouth and then spitting it out quickly is not sufficient. It is essential to pass water in the mouth over every part, every cavity, from the lips to the end of the throat. Water must reach the cavities behind the back teeth, gaps and roots of teeth, all sides of the tongue and the brim of the throat. If you are not fasting, you should gargle as well (it is Sunnah to do so). If bits of betel nuts or fibres of meat are stuck in the teeth, they must be removed. If there is a fear of harm in case of removing them, removal is exempted. Before performing Ghusl, the fibres of meat etc. were stuck in the teeth, but the one bathing did not feel them and, therefore, offered Salah having performed Ghusl without removing them; later, he came to know that fibres of meat etc. were stuck in the teeth, it is now Fard for him to remove them and pass water over there. The Salah offered is valid. If a loose tooth has been fixed with some compound or fastened with wire, and water could not reach below the compound or wire, it is exempted. (Bahar-e-Shariat, Pg. 316, Vol. 1, Fatawa Razaviyyah, Pg. 439-440, Vol. 1)

The thorough rinsing of the mouth is Fard once in Ghusl, and such thorough rinsing three times is Sunnah in Wudu.

Sniffing Water into the Nose

Quickly splashing a bit of water onto the tip of one’s nose is not sufficient; it is essential to wash the nose up to the end of the soft bone, i.e. up to the start of the hard bone. This can only be done by sniffing water upwards, but remember, if even a part equal to a hair tip is left unwashed, Ghusl will be invalid. If dried mucus has accumulated inside the nose, it is Fard to remove it. It is Fard to wash the nasal hairs. (Ibid, Ibid, Pg. 442-443)

Pouring Water on the Whole Apparent Body

It is obligatory to pass water on each and every limb and soft, fine hair of the apparent body, from the hairs of the head up to the soles of the feet. There are some body limbs which may remain unwashed if special care is not taken, and Ghusl will not be valid on this account either. (Bahar-e-Shariat, Pg. 317, Vol. 1)

How does Ghusl become Fard?

Ghusl will become Fard in the following five conditions:

1. Discharge of semen from its organ after leaving its origin due to lust.

2. Nocturnal emission (ejaculation of semen during sleep).

3. Entrance of the head of the man’s penis into the woman’s vagina, regardless of whether or not this happens in a state of lust and whether or not ejaculation takes place; both of them will have to perform Ghusl.

4. After the termination of menses (Haiz).

5. After the termination of post-natal bleeding (Nifas). (Bahar-e-Shariat, Pg. 321, 232, 324, Vol. 1)

Most of the women are under the impression that a woman is considered impure after childbirth for a definite period of 40 days; this is absolutely incorrect. Please read the following explanation of Nifas (post-natal bleeding):

Necessary Explanation of Post-Natal Bleeding

The blood that is discharged after childbirth is called ‘Nifas’. The maximum duration for Nifas is 40 days. If bleeding continues even after 40 days, it is an indication of a disease, and the woman should perform Ghusl at the end of the 40th day. If the bleeding stops before 40 days, or even just a minute after the delivery, she has to perform Ghusl on the termination of bleeding and start Salah and fasting. If bleeding restarted within 40 days, all the days from delivery to the end of bleeding will be counted for Nifas. For example, bleeding stopped two minutes after the delivery, and the woman started Salah and fasting after performing Ghusl; but bleeding started again just two minutes before the completion of 40 days, all the 40 days will be counted in Nifas, i.e. Salah and fasting of these days became null and void. Even missed Salah and/or missed fasting offered in this duration will have to be repeated. (Fatawa Razaviyyah (Jadeed), Pg. 354, 356, Vol. 4)

Five Important Rulings of Ghusl

1. If semen moved from the origin without lust, e.g. semen released as a result of lifting a weight or falling from a height or due to stress applied during passing of stool, Ghusl will not become Fard, but Wudu will become invalid.

2. If the semen is dilute and its drops are released while passing urine or doing any other act without lust, Ghusl will not become Fard, but Wudu will become invalid.

3. If one can recall that nocturnal ejaculation had taken place, but there is no impression of it on clothing, etc., Ghusl is not Fard. (Bahar-e-Shariat, Pg. 321, Vol. 1)

4. If there was lust during Salah and semen was felt moving, but the Musalli (the one offering Salah) completed Salah before the release of semen, Salah is valid, but Ghusl has now become Fard. (Bahar-e-Shariat, Pg. 322, Vol. 1)

5. Discharge of semen by masturbating will make Ghusl Fard. It is a sin to do so. Such a person has been called Mal’oon (cursed) in a Hadith. (Maraqil Falah Ma’ Hashiyah al-Tahtawi, Pg. 96)

This (shameful act) brings about impotence, and it has been observed that such a person becomes incapable of marriage.

21 Cautions for both men and women during Ghusl

 1. If a man’s hair is braided, it is Fard to wash such hair from the roots up to the tips, having un-braided them.

2. Women only need to wash the roots. It is not essential for them to undo their braids. However, if the hair is braided so tightly that water cannot reach the roots, it is essential to undo the braids.

3. If the hole of the pierced nose or ears is not closed, it is obligatory to pass water through the hole. During Wudu, it is necessary to let water flow only through the hole of the nose, but during Ghusl, it must flow through the holes of both the nose and ears.

4. Every single hair of the eyebrows, moustache and beard must be washed from root to tip, and the skin beneath them must also be washed.

 5. Wash all parts of the ear and the mouth of the ear canal.

6. The hair behind the ears will have to be lifted in order to wash the back of the ears.

7. The joint between the chin and the throat will not be washed unless you lift your head upwards.

8. The arms will have to be lifted properly in order to wash the armpits.

9. Wash all sides of the arms.

10. Wash every part of the entire back.

11. Lift the folds of the belly in order to wash it properly.

12. Pour water into your navel. If you suspect that the navel has not been washed properly, then insert a finger inside it and wash.

13. Wash every hair of the body from root to tip.

14. Wash the fold between the thigh and the area beneath the navel.

15. If you are performing Ghusl in a sitting position, you must remember to wash the fold between thigh and shin.

16. Wash the part where both buttocks join, especially when performing Ghusl in a standing position.

17. Pass water on all sides of the thighs

18. Pass water on all sides of the shins.

19. Pass water on the lower side of the penis and testicles up to the end.

 20. Pass water on the surface beneath the testicles up to the end.

 21. An uncircumcised man should lift, if possible, the foreskin and wash the penis and make water enter the additional skin. (Bahar-e-Shariat, Pg. 317, 318, Vol. 1)

If Ghusl Causes Cold, Then...?

If one is suffering from a cold or eye infection, etc. and according to his correct guess, his disease will intensify on taking a bath from the head or other diseases will affect him, he is allowed to take a bath from the neck, but he has to rinse his mouth and sniff water into his nose. After wiping every part of the head with a wet hand, his Ghusl will be complete. After healing from the ailment, he has to wash the head; complete renewal of Ghusl is not necessary. (Bahar-e-Shariat, Pg. 318, Vol. 1)

Performing Ghusl in Rain

Performing Ghusl whilst exposing one’s Sitr in front of others is Haraam. (Fatawa Razaviyyah (Jadeed), Pg. 306, Vol. 3)

When bathing in rain, etc., one should wrap a thick shawl over trousers so that the colour of the thighs is not exposed to others when wet trousers stick to the body.

Be careful while bathing naked

In case of performing Ghusl naked alone or wearing trousers that may reveal the colour of thighs due to sticking when wet, ensure that neither face nor back is towards the Holy Ka’bah.

When is it Mustahab to Perform Ghusl?

Performing Ghusl is Mustahab on the following occasions:

1. Holy stay in Arafat

2. Holy stay in Muzdalifah

3. When visiting the sacred sanctuary

4. When presenting oneself in the court of Beloved Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ واٰلہ وسلم

5. For Tawaf

6. When entering Mina

7. On the three days when pebbles are thrown at the devils

8. Shab-e-Bara’at

9. Shab-e-Qadr

10. The night of Arafah

11. For a Mawlid gathering

12. For other auspicious and blessed gatherings

13. After giving a bath to a deceased person

14. For a madman when he recovers from madness

15. On recovering from unconsciousness

16. Recovering from a state of intoxication

17. For repentance from a sin

18. For wearing new clothes

19. On returning from a long journey

20. On the termination of ‘Istihazah’ (vaginal bleeding due to illness)

21. For the Salah offered at the occurrence of a solar and a lunar eclipse

22. For ‘Sala-tul-Istisqa’ (the prayer for rainfall)

23. In times of fear, extreme darkness and severe storms

24. If the body is stained with impurity, but it is not known where the stain actually lies. (Bahar-e-Shariat, Pg. 324, 325, Vol. 1, Tanvir-ul-Absaar, Durr-e-Mukhtar, Pg. 341-342, Vol. 1)

When is it Sunnah to Perform Ghusl?

It is Sunnah to perform Ghusl on Friday, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, the day of Arafah (9th Zul-Hijja-til-Haraam) and when going to wear Ihram. (Bahar-e-Shariat, Pg. 324, Vol. 1, Dur-re-Mukhtar, Pg. 339-341, Vol. 1)

How to do Ghusl in a shower

Method of Ghusl in Flowing Water

If someone takes a bath in flowing water, such as a river or canal and remains in water for a while, the Sunan of washing thrice, maintaining order in washing and making Wudu all will be fulfilled. It is not required to move limbs three times in flowing water. However, in the case of performing Ghusl in a pool (where the water is still), the limb will have to be moved thrice to act upon the Sunnah of washing thrice. Standing in rain (or under a tap or shower) has the rulings of flowing water. In case of making Wudu in streaming water, just keeping the limbs in the water for a while is sufficient. Similarly, in the case of making Wudu in still water, moving the limbs thrice in water amounts to washing the limbs thrice. (Bahar-e-Shariat, Pg. 322, Vol. 1) (Durr-e-Mukhtar-o-Radd-ul-Muhtar, Pg. 320-321, Vol. 1). In all these cases of Wudu and Ghusl, rinsing of the mouth and washing of the nose will have to be done.

How to do Ghusl in a shower

The ruling of a shower is the same as that of flowing water

‘Fatawa-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat’ (unpublished) states that performing Ghusl under a fountain (or shower) is similar to having a bath in flowing water, which means that if one remains under it for the time it takes to perform Wudu or perform Ghusl, then the Sunnah of washing the limbs three times will be fulfilled. The book 'Durr-e-Mukhtar' mentions that if one stands in flowing water, a large pond, or under the rain for the time it takes to perform Ghusl and Wudu, then he has performed the complete Sunnah. (Durr-e-Mukhtar-o-Radd-ul-Muhtar, Pg. 320, Vol. 1) Remember! Rinsing of the mouth and washing of the nose are required in Ghusl and Wudu.