The Causes That Make Ghusl Obligatory
1. Janaba (major ritual impurity from sexual activity or ejaculation): any ejaculation of semen, intentional or otherwise; and any sexual intercourse, regardless of ejaculation. Janaba creates a state that prevents prayer, Quran recitation (some schools allow recitation by memory), and circumambulation of the Ka’ba until ghusl is performed.
2. Menstruation (hayd): upon the cessation of menstrual blood, ghusl is required before resuming prayer and fasting. Duration: minimum one day (Hanafi, Shafi’i), three days (Maliki), or one day (Hanbali); maximum 10 or 15 days depending on school.
3. Postnatal bleeding (nifas): same ruling as hayd after childbirth.
4. Death: the deceased Muslim must be given ghusl by the community — this is a fard kifaya (collective obligation).
5. Conversion to Islam: most schools recommend ghusl upon converting to Islam, even if not technically obligatory in all.
The Minimum Valid Ghusl
Only two things are absolutely required:
- Intention (niyyah)
- Water reaching the entire body surface — every part of the skin including hair roots (in Maliki opinion, hair must be wetted completely through)
If these two are accomplished, ghusl is valid.
The Complete Sunna Ghusl
The Prophet’s method (as narrated by Aisha in Bukhari):
- Wash the hands three times
- Wash private parts
- Perform complete wudu (ablution)
- Pour water over the head three times, running fingers through hair to roots
- Pour water over the entire body — right side first, then left
- Wash feet (if not done during wudu)
The Bohra ghusl tradition emphasizes thoroughness of the head wash and the sequence.
What Ghusl Permits That Wudu Does Not Restore
Ghusl restores full ritual purity, removing janaba. After ghusl, all acts requiring purity — prayer, touching the Quran, mosque entry, fasting (which requires being in a state to begin the fast) — are permissible.
See also: Fiqh Al Wudu, Understanding Namaz, Tazkiyah, Sunna Al Nabawi, Niyyah, Fiqh Al Sawm