Ghusl is the ritual washing required in Islam following certain states of major ritual impurity, including sexual intercourse, ejaculation and the completion of menstruation.
Unlike an ordinary shower, ghusl is an act of purification governed by Islamic law.
Its basic obligation is established in the Qur’an, while its practical method is described in authentic narrations from the wives of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
How Did the Prophet ﷺ Perform Ghusl?
Aishah, may Allah be pleased with her, described the Prophet’s ﷺ method of performing ghusl following janabah, a state of major ritual impurity.
According to Sahih al-Bukhari 248, he began by washing his hands, performed wudu as he would for prayer, worked water through the roots of his hair, poured water over his head three times and then washed the rest of his body.
Another narration from Maymunah, recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari 257, provides additional details, including washing the private parts and rinsing the mouth and nose.
The following method incorporates these authentic descriptions.
Step-by-Step Method of Ghusl
- Make the intention: Intend in your heart to perform ghusl for ritual purification. No specific verbal declaration is required.
- Wash your hands: Begin by washing both hands.
- Clean the private parts: Remove any physical impurities.
- Perform wudu: Wash as you would for Salah, including rinsing the mouth and nose.
- Wash the head: Ensure water reaches the roots of the hair, pouring water over the head three times.
- Wash the entire body: Ensure water reaches all external parts of the body, including areas that may otherwise remain dry.
- Wash the feet if postponed: If the feet were left until the end, wash them to complete the ghusl.
Is This Entire Sequence Obligatory?
Not every element of the complete Prophetic method is a condition for the validity of ghusl.
The Sunni schools agree on the necessity of washing the body thoroughly, but differ on certain legal requirements.
For example, the Hanafi school considers rinsing the mouth and nose obligatory, while the Shafi’i school does not classify them as obligatory components of ghusl.
The schools also differ on certain requirements concerning intention and continuity.
Following the complete Prophetic method, including intention, washing the mouth and nose, and ensuring water reaches the entire body, accommodates these important requirements.
Must Women Undo Their Braids?
Not necessarily.
In Sahih Muslim 330a, Umm Salamah asked the Prophet ﷺ whether she needed to undo her tightly braided hair when performing ghusl after sexual intercourse.
He informed her that doing so was unnecessary.
However, water must still reach the hair and its roots. Braids that prevent proper washing must be loosened sufficiently to allow this.
Conclusion
The authentic Sunnah provides a clear method for ghusl involving purification of the private parts, wudu, washing the head and ensuring water reaches the entire body.
The central requirement is proper ritual purification, not unnecessarily complicated procedures.
Following the method described by Aishah and Maymunah offers Muslims a reliable way to perform ghusl in accordance with the Prophet’s ﷺ practice.
