How to Perform Ghusal for Men & Women
Cleanliness is one of the most important aspects of Islam. It is emphasised in such a manner that it is called half of one’s faith, and even should be shown from their surroundings. The importance of cleanliness can also be understood from Prophet Muhammad Hadith (PBUH) mentioned:
“Purity is half of faith.” (Sahih Muslim 223)
This quote shows the value of physical as well as spiritual purity in Islam. A clean body, mind, and soul helps strengthen one’s connection with Allah, therefore cleanliness is an integral part of a Muslim’s daily routine.
Personal Hygiene in Islam:
Islam considers personal hygiene of utmost importance; hence it is the responsibility of every individual to make and keep their body clean. Maintaining one’s health, spirituality and confidence is a multifaceted endeavour. For Muslims, remaining pure is of most importance, as it enables them to pray and, requires ablutions in the form of wudu and sometimes ghusl.
Ablution (Wudu) in Islam:
Before commencing the five daily prayers (Salah), Ablution is mandatory. It requires washing specific body parts which leads to both physical cleanliness and spiritual purification. Prior to detailing Ghusl, I would like to address the fundamental aspects of ablution. You can seek a detailed explanation and step wise guidance in our document concerning the steps on how to perform wudu.
However, in particular cases, attaining complete purity is needed for complete bath, otherwise known as Ghusl.
Ghusl: The Complete Ritual Purification:
Ghusl forms an essential practice in Islam under certain conditions like after engaging in marital relations, after menstruation or post child birth. This is a wholesome form of purification and, thus, ensures a person’s state of Taharah (purity).
Meaning and Importance:
The term ghusl simply means to remove any impurities by washing the entire body in such a manner that every single part of it is cleaned. A Muslim cannot engage in certain acts of worship such as prayer (Salah), or Tawaf around the Kaaba unless ghusl is conducted first.
When is Ghusl Required?
- After sexual intercourse
- After menses or after childbirth and postnatal bleeding
- Al-Istihada (on divorce)
- When converting to Islam
- After the release of man’s fluid (whether awake or during sleep)
- After death (before burial except for martyrs)
How to Perform:
To perform Ghusl and attain cleanliness, following these procedural steps is vital to ensure bathing removes all forms of impurities:
Steps for Men and Women
- Make the intention (Niyyah): In your heart, intend to purify yourself for the sake of Allah.
- Utter Bismillah (In the name of Allah).
- Wash the hands three times: The hands are to be free of all forms of contamination.
- Washah al-Kharsa: Cleansing the private organs and removing any visible dirt.
- Wudu (Ablution): As done with other prayers.
- Pouring water over the head thrice: Water should touch the roots.
- Thoroughly wash the body: Commands each limb to be washed while standing so drying of body parts does not happen.
Women must be particular that all parts of the body including the head, must be scrubbed and massaged to ensure that water is evenly distributed through the hair. If the groomed hair is braided, women are permitted to perform Ghusl without unravelling the plait, provided the water can access the scalp.
Beyond the Body Cleanliness: A Social Duty:
Islam does not limit cleanliness to personal hygiene alone. It emphasises the cleanliness of homes, public spaces, and the environment. Keeping surroundings clean is the domain of hygiene in Islam is not restricted to one’s personal hygiene. It also includes the cleanliness of the house, public places, and even the environment. As religion requires sanitation in such form, a cleanliness upholds Islam and cleanliness mirrors what faith one possesses alongside knowledge about themselves.
Shall we Maintain Cleanliness in Society
- Disposing of Waste Appropriately
- Keeping Homes and Mosques Clean
- Restraining from Polluting Nature
- Preserving Public Hygiene Such as Streets and Water Springs
Disposal of litter in places such as roads and paths are the poor man’s bounty. The purpose of this was to kindly instruct, as shown in the following hadith, Muslims have been advanced to aim towards ensuring cleanness, especially to the environment, as it heavily influences the society that surrounds us.
The Relationship between Trust and Cleanliness:
Trust goes beyond mere belief; it is closer to being a virtue, as it leads one to judgement and self-sovereignty. Travel is more than locomotion, it is action taken with intent, refined even if it is only done slightly. For the able Muslim, journeying transforms into a connection with the divine, as the bodily effort put into getting ready for the trip is far greater than the rest.
Significant Insights:
- Washing of the hands and face before prayer is mandatory.
- Wudhu complete purifying ablution.
A person’s being clean Muslim practising not speak observing Islam. Cleanliness does not end with body instead extend has to humanity’s surrounding.
Final Thoughts:
Islam regards “Cleanliness is half of one’s faith” as a truism, not a figure of speech. Through adherence to the principles of ghusl, wudhu, and maintaining the environment, Muslims achieve physical purity while strengthening their faith. As a faithful Muslim, purity in thought and action is mandatory, starting with a clean mind and body. Alongside the form of physical purification, one must also consider the checking or cleansing of his heart or soul. It is mandatory for every Muslim to learn these basic things for that purpose we are here to provide safe and secure classes environment for everyone.
By following these instructions, Muslims are taught how to balance their spiritual pursuits with physical activities, correctly showing that, as suspected, Al – Bukhari was onto something when he said that ‘cleanliness is half of faith.
