Worship guidesPurification

Ghusl, the full bath

الغسل

When the full bath is required, the minimum that makes it valid, and the complete way of the Sunnah.

Quran

Ghusl is washing the whole body with water, with the intention of purifying oneself. The Quran commands it of whoever is in a state of major impurity: if you are junub, purify yourselves (5:6), and do not approach the prayer until you have bathed (4:43).

Its agreed core is that water reaches the whole body. islamweb's fatwa gives the minimum as that and the intention; the Prophet ﷺ told Umm Salama that three handfuls over the head and then water over the body were enough. The complete way, which 'A'isha and Maymuna described, follows.

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When ghusl is required

  1. When ghusl is required

    After intercourse, even without emission, and after any emission of sexual fluid, awake or asleep.

    All four schools: description

    Sources: Sahih al-Bukhari 291; 5:6

  2. When ghusl is required

    For a woman, when her menstruation or post-natal bleeding ends. Their rulings will have a guide of their own, written with a scholar.

    All four schools: description

    Sources: 2:222

What makes it valid

  1. What makes it valid

    Intend in your heart to purify yourself from the major impurity.

    Hanafi: sunnahMaliki: required (condition or pillar)Shafi'i: required (condition or pillar)Hanbali: required (condition or pillar)

    Where the schools differ

    The majority, the Malikis, Shafi'is and Hanbalis, hold the intention obligatory in an obligatory ghusl; the Hanafis hold it a Sunnah, as in wudu. islamweb's fatwa prefers the majority view.

    Sources: Sahih al-Bukhari 1; Rubbing in ghusl (islamweb fatwa 127737)

  2. What makes it valid

    Make water reach the whole body, the skin and the roots of the hair.

    All four schools: pillar

    Where the schools differ

    islamweb's fatwa adds that rubbing is not obligatory, unless something on the body keeps the water from reaching a part of it.

    Sources: 4:43; The evidence for the sufficient ghusl and its intention (islamweb fatwa 473608); Rubbing in ghusl (islamweb fatwa 127737)

  3. What makes it valid

    Rinse your mouth and nose.

    Hanafi: pillarMaliki: sunnahShafi'i: sunnahHanbali: pillar

    Where the schools differ

    In ghusl they are obligatory for the Hanafis and, in their well-known view, the Hanbalis; a Sunnah for the Malikis and Shafi'is. islamweb's fatwa prefers that they are a Sunnah, and advises doing them anyway.

    Sources: The scholars' views on rinsing the mouth and nose in wudu and ghusl (islamweb fatwa 17079)

The complete way, from the Sunnah

  1. The complete way, from the Sunnah

    Wash your hands.

    Sources: Sahih al-Bukhari 248

  2. The complete way, from the Sunnah

    Wash your private parts and whatever is on them, with the left hand.

    Sources: Sahih al-Bukhari 274

  3. The complete way, from the Sunnah

    Make wudu as you would for the prayer.

    Sources: Sahih al-Bukhari 248

  4. The complete way, from the Sunnah

    Run wet fingers through the roots of your hair, then pour three handfuls of water over your head.

    Sources: Sahih al-Bukhari 248

  5. The complete way, from the Sunnah

    Pour water over the rest of your body, beginning with the right side.

    Sources: Sahih al-Bukhari 248; Sahih al-Bukhari 168

  6. The complete way, from the Sunnah

    Move a little aside and wash your feet, as Maymuna saw him do.

    Sources: Sahih al-Bukhari 274

Evidence

QuranAl-Maaida (The Table)Quran 5:6

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ فَٱغْسِلُوا۟ وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى ٱلْمَرَافِقِ وَٱمْسَحُوا۟ بِرُءُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى ٱلْكَعْبَيْنِ ۚ وَإِن كُنتُمْ جُنُبًا فَٱطَّهَّرُوا۟ ۚ وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرْضَىٰٓ أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ أَوْ جَآءَ أَحَدٌ مِّنكُم مِّنَ ٱلْغَآئِطِ أَوْ لَـٰمَسْتُمُ ٱلنِّسَآءَ فَلَمْ تَجِدُوا۟ مَآءً فَتَيَمَّمُوا۟ صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا فَٱمْسَحُوا۟ بِوُجُوهِكُمْ وَأَيْدِيكُم مِّنْهُ ۚ مَا يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ لِيَجْعَلَ عَلَيْكُم مِّنْ حَرَجٍ وَلَـٰكِن يُرِيدُ لِيُطَهِّرَكُمْ وَلِيُتِمَّ نِعْمَتَهُۥ عَلَيْكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ ٦

O you who have believed, when you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles. And if you are in a state of janābah,[245] then purify yourselves. But if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women[246] and do not find water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and hands with it. Allāh does not intend to make difficulty for you, but He intends to purify you and complete His favor upon you that you may be grateful.

Translator's notes

[245] See footnote to 4:43. [246] i.e., had sexual intercourse.

Saheeh International · QuranEnc v1.1.2

Another translation: Al-Hilali & Muhsin Khan · QuranEnc v1.1.2

6. O you who believe! When you intend to offer As-Salât (the prayer), wash your faces and your hands (forearms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to ankles[3]. If you are in a state of Janâba (i.e. after a sexual discharge), purify yourselves (bathe your whole body). But if you are ill or on a journey, or any of you comes after answering the call of nature, or you have been in contact with women (i.e. sexual intercourse), and you find no water, then perform Tayammum with clean earth and rub therewith your faces and hands.[4] Allâh does not want to place you in difficulty, but He wants to purify you, and to complete His Favour to you that you may be thankful.

[3] (V.5:6) The superiority of ablution. And Al-Ghurr-ul Muhajjalûn (the parts of the body of the Muslims washed in ablution will shine on the Day of Resurrection and the angels will call them by that name) from the traces of ablution. Narrated Nu‘aim Al-Mujmir: Once I went up the roof of the mosque along with Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه. He performed ablution and said, "I heard the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم saying, ‘On the Day of Resurrection, my followers will be called Al-Ghurr-ul-Muhajjalûn from the traces of ablution and whoever can increase the area of his radiance* should do so (by performing ablution in the most perfect manner).’ " (Sahih Al-Bukhâri, Vol.1, Hadîth No.138). *The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم did not increase the area more than what is washed of the body parts while doing ablution as Allâh ordered to be washed in the Qur’ân. [For details about Wudu (ablution), see Sahih Al-Bukhâri, Vol.1, (The Book of Ablution)]. [4] (V.5:6) Strike your hands on the earth and then pass the palm of each on the back of the other and then blow off the dust from them and then pass (rub) them on your face: this is called Tayammum

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QuranAn-Nisaa (The Women)Quran 4:43

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَقْرَبُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأَنتُمْ سُكَـٰرَىٰ حَتَّىٰ تَعْلَمُوا۟ مَا تَقُولُونَ وَلَا جُنُبًا إِلَّا عَابِرِى سَبِيلٍ حَتَّىٰ تَغْتَسِلُوا۟ ۚ وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرْضَىٰٓ أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ أَوْ جَآءَ أَحَدٌ مِّنكُم مِّنَ ٱلْغَآئِطِ أَوْ لَـٰمَسْتُمُ ٱلنِّسَآءَ فَلَمْ تَجِدُوا۟ مَآءً فَتَيَمَّمُوا۟ صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا فَٱمْسَحُوا۟ بِوُجُوهِكُمْ وَأَيْدِيكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَفُوًّا غَفُورًا ٤٣

O you who have believed, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated until you know what you are saying[187] or in a state of janābah,[188] except those passing through [a place of prayer], until you have washed [your whole body]. And if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women [i.e., had sexual intercourse] and find no water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and your hands [with it]. Indeed, Allāh is ever Pardoning[189] and Forgiving.

Translator's notes

[187] The use of intoxicants was later prohibited completely. See 5:90-91. [188] Literally, "distance." The state of one under obligation to perform ghusl (a complete bath) due to having had sexual intercourse or ejaculation. [189] Literally, able to erase and remove sins completely, leaving no trace of them in the record of deeds.

Saheeh International · QuranEnc v1.1.2

Another translation: Al-Hilali & Muhsin Khan · QuranEnc v1.1.2

43. O you who believe! Approach not As-Salât (the prayer) when you are in a drunken state until you know (the meaning) of what you utter, nor when you are in a state of Janâba ,(i.e. in a state of sexual impurity and have not yet taken a bath) except when travelling on the road (without enough water, or just passing through a mosque), till you wash your whole body. And if you are ill, or on a journey, or one of you comes after answering the call of nature, or you have been in contact with women (by sexual relations) and you find no water, perform Tayammum with clean earth and rub therewith your faces and hands (Tayammum)[14]. Truly, Allâh is Ever Oft-Pardoning, Oft-Forgiving.

[14] (V.4:43) Strike your hands on the earth and then pass the palm of each on the back of the other and then blow off the dust from them and then pass (rub) them on your face, this is called Tayammum

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Sahih

Sahih Muslim 330a

Grades
GraderVerdict
MuslimSahih (included by Muslim in his Sahih) (Sahih)
Full narration

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، وَعَمْرٌو النَّاقِدُ، وَإِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، وَابْنُ أَبِي عُمَرَ، كُلُّهُمْ عَنِ ابْنِ عُيَيْنَةَ، قَالَ إِسْحَاقُ أَخْبَرَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ أَيُّوبَ بْنِ مُوسَى، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْمَقْبُرِيِّ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ رَافِعٍ، مَوْلَى أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ عَنْ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ، قَالَتْ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي امْرَأَةٌ أَشُدُّ ضَفْرَ رَأْسِي فَأَنْقُضُهُ لِغُسْلِ الْجَنَابَةِ قَالَ ‏ "‏ لاَ إِنَّمَا يَكْفِيكِ أَنْ تَحْثِي عَلَى رَأْسِكِ ثَلاَثَ حَثَيَاتٍ ثُمَّ تُفِيضِينَ عَلَيْكِ الْمَاءَ فَتَطْهُرِينَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

Umm Salama reported:I said: Messenger of Allah, I am a woman who has closely plaited hair on my head; should I undo it for taking a bath, because of sexual intercourse? He (the Holy Prophet) said: No, it is enough for you to throw three handfuls of water on your head and then pour water over yourself, and you shall be purified

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Sahih

Sahih al-Bukhari 291

Grades
GraderVerdict
al-BukhariSahih (included by al-Bukhari in his Sahih) (Sahih)
Full narration

حَدَّثَنَا مُعَاذُ بْنُ فَضَالَةَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامٌ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو نُعَيْمٍ، عَنْ هِشَامٍ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنِ الْحَسَنِ، عَنْ أَبِي رَافِعٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ إِذَا جَلَسَ بَيْنَ شُعَبِهَا الأَرْبَعِ ثُمَّ جَهَدَهَا، فَقَدْ وَجَبَ الْغَسْلُ ‏"‏‏.‏ تَابَعَهُ عَمْرُو بْنُ مَرْزُوقٍ عَنْ شُعْبَةَ مِثْلَهُ‏.‏ وَقَالَ مُوسَى حَدَّثَنَا أَبَانُ قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا قَتَادَةُ أَخْبَرَنَا الْحَسَنُ مِثْلَهُ‏.‏

Narrated Hisham:as the following Hadith 290. Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "When a man sits in between the four parts of a woman and did the sexual intercourse with her, bath becomes compulsory

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QuranAl-Baqara (The Cow)Quran 2:222

وَيَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلْمَحِيضِ ۖ قُلْ هُوَ أَذًى فَٱعْتَزِلُوا۟ ٱلنِّسَآءَ فِى ٱلْمَحِيضِ ۖ وَلَا تَقْرَبُوهُنَّ حَتَّىٰ يَطْهُرْنَ ۖ فَإِذَا تَطَهَّرْنَ فَأْتُوهُنَّ مِنْ حَيْثُ أَمَرَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلتَّوَّٰبِينَ وَيُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ ٢٢٢

And they ask you about menstruation. Say, "It is harm, so keep away from wives[82] during menstruation. And do not approach them until they are pure. And when they have purified themselves,[83] then come to them from where Allāh has ordained for you. Indeed, Allāh loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves."

Translator's notes

[82] i.e., refrain from sexual intercourse. [83] By taking a complete bath (ghusl) .

Saheeh International · QuranEnc v1.1.2

Another translation: Al-Hilali & Muhsin Khan · QuranEnc v1.1.2

222. They ask you concerning menstruation. Say: that is an Adha (a harmful thing for a husband to have a sexual intercourse with his wife while she is having her menses), therefore keep away from women during menses and go not unto them till they are purified (from menses and have taken a bath). And when they have purified themselves, then go in unto them as Allâh has ordained for you (go in unto them in any manner as long as it is in their vagina). Truly, Allâh loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves (by taking a bath and cleaning and washing thoroughly their private parts, bodies, for their prayers).

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Sahih

Sahih al-Bukhari 1

Grades
GraderVerdict
al-BukhariSahih (included by al-Bukhari in his Sahih) (Sahih)
Full narration

حَدَّثَنَا الْحُمَيْدِيُّ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ الزُّبَيْرِ ، قَالَ : حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ ، قَالَ : حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ ، قَالَ : أَخْبَرَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ التَّيْمِيُّ ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ عَلْقَمَةَ بْنَ وَقَّاصٍ اللَّيْثِيَّ ، يَقُولُ : سَمِعْتُ عُمَرَ بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ، قَالَ : سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، يَقُولُ : " إِنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ، وَإِنَّمَا لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مَا نَوَى، فَمَنْ كَانَتْ هِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى دُنْيَا يُصِيبُهَا أَوْ إِلَى امْرَأَةٍ يَنْكِحُهَا، فَهِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى مَا هَاجَرَ إِلَيْهِ

Narrated 'Umar bin Al-Khattab: I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying, "The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended. So whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or for a woman to marry, his emigration was for what he emigrated for

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Sahih

Sahih al-Bukhari 248

Grades
GraderVerdict
al-BukhariSahih (included by al-Bukhari in his Sahih) (Sahih)
Full narration

حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ هِشَامٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ إِذَا اغْتَسَلَ مِنَ الْجَنَابَةِ بَدَأَ فَغَسَلَ يَدَيْهِ، ثُمَّ يَتَوَضَّأُ كَمَا يَتَوَضَّأُ لِلصَّلاَةِ، ثُمَّ يُدْخِلُ أَصَابِعَهُ فِي الْمَاءِ، فَيُخَلِّلُ بِهَا أُصُولَ شَعَرِهِ ثُمَّ يَصُبُّ عَلَى رَأْسِهِ ثَلاَثَ غُرَفٍ بِيَدَيْهِ، ثُمَّ يُفِيضُ الْمَاءَ عَلَى جِلْدِهِ كُلِّهِ‏.‏

Narrated `Aisha:Whenever the Prophet (ﷺ) took a bath after Janaba he started by washing his hands and then performed ablution like that for the prayer. After that he would put his fingers in water and move the roots of his hair with them, and then pour three handfuls of water over his head and then pour water all over his body

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Sahih

Sahih al-Bukhari 274

Grades
GraderVerdict
al-BukhariSahih (included by al-Bukhari in his Sahih) (Sahih)
Full narration

حَدَّثَنَا يُوسُفُ بْنُ عِيسَى، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا الْفَضْلُ بْنُ مُوسَى، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا الأَعْمَشُ، عَنْ سَالِمٍ، عَنْ كُرَيْبٍ، مَوْلَى ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، عَنْ مَيْمُونَةَ، قَالَتْ وَضَعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَضُوءًا لِجَنَابَةٍ فَأَكْفَأَ بِيَمِينِهِ عَلَى شِمَالِهِ مَرَّتَيْنِ، أَوْ ثَلاَثًا، ثُمَّ غَسَلَ فَرْجَهُ، ثُمَّ ضَرَبَ يَدَهُ بِالأَرْضِ ـ أَوِ الْحَائِطِ ـ مَرَّتَيْنِ أَوْ ثَلاَثًا، ثُمَّ مَضْمَضَ وَاسْتَنْشَقَ، وَغَسَلَ وَجْهَهُ وَذِرَاعَيْهِ، ثُمَّ أَفَاضَ عَلَى رَأْسِهِ الْمَاءَ، ثُمَّ غَسَلَ جَسَدَهُ، ثُمَّ تَنَحَّى فَغَسَلَ رِجْلَيْهِ‏.‏ قَالَتْ فَأَتَيْتُهُ بِخِرْقَةٍ، فَلَمْ يُرِدْهَا، فَجَعَلَ يَنْفُضُ بِيَدِهِ‏.‏

Narrated Maimuna:Water was placed for the ablution of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) after Janaba. He poured water with his right hand over his left twice or thrice and then washed his private parts and rubbed his hand on the earth or on a wall twice or thrice and then rinsed his mouth, washed his nose by putting water in it and then blowing it out and then washed his face and forearms and poured water over his head and washed his body. Then he shifted from that place and washed his feet. I brought a piece of cloth, but he did not take it and removed the traces of water from his body with his hand

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Sahih

Sahih al-Bukhari 168

Grades
GraderVerdict
al-BukhariSahih (included by al-Bukhari in his Sahih) (Sahih)
Full narration

حَدَّثَنَا حَفْصُ بْنُ عُمَرَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي أَشْعَثُ بْنُ سُلَيْمٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبِي، عَنْ مَسْرُوقٍ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُعْجِبُهُ التَّيَمُّنُ فِي تَنَعُّلِهِ وَتَرَجُّلِهِ وَطُهُورِهِ وَفِي شَأْنِهِ كُلِّهِ‏.‏

Narrated `Aisha:The Prophet (ﷺ) used to like to start from the right side on wearing shoes, combing his hair and cleaning or washing himself and on doing anything else

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