Ghusl: The Ritual of Full Purification

Ghusl is a full-body ritual washing required in specific circumstances, distinct from the partial washing of wudu performed before each prayer. It involves washing the entire body with water, including rinsing the mouth and nose and ensuring water reaches every part of the body, including the hair. Ghusl becomes obligatory after sexual intercourse or seminal discharge, at the end of a woman's menstrual or postpartum bleeding, and is also performed on a deceased Muslim's body as part of preparing it for burial. It is additionally recommended, though not obligatory, before Friday congregational prayer, before the two Eid prayers, and before entering the state of ihram for Hajj or Umrah. Like wudu, ghusl begins with the intention to purify oneself for the purpose of worship, and specific hadith describe the Prophet's ﷺ own method of performing it — washing the hands first, then the private parts, then performing wudu, before pouring water over the rest of the body three times. Until ghusl is completed in a state requiring it, a person is not permitted to pray, touch the Quran, or perform other acts that require ritual purity.