NIYYAT (INTENTION) OF GHUSL (BATH)

• It is SUNNAT to make the niyyat for Ghusl
• One should make the intention of becoming clean from that impurity he wishes to get himself clean from, eg. I am making Ghusl to become clean from janaabat.

THERE ARE THREE FARAAID (REQUIREMENTS) IN GHUSL

1. Passing water into and out of the mouth, i.e. gargling

2. Putting water into the nostrils

3. Passing water over the entire body.

* If a Fardh is left out, or a hair's-breadth place is left dry, the Ghusl will be incomplete.

THERE ARE FIVE SUNNATS IN GHUSL

1. washing hands upto the wrists

2. Washing the private parts and the parts over which uncleanliness is found

3. Niyyat (intention) of washing off any unseen filth

4. Making wudhu before washing the body

5. Then passing water over the whole body thrice.

RULES WHILST MAKING GHUSL

1. Ghusl should be made in a place of total privacy.

2. One should not face Qibla whilst making Ghusl.

3. Ghusl may be performed standing or seated, preferably seated.

4. Use sufficient water - do not skimp nor be wasteful.

5. Abstain from speaking whilst making Ghusl.

6. It is better not to read any Kalimah or Ayah while bathing.

   Before performing Ghusl, one should make niyyah: I am performing Ghusl to become clean.

* Without niyyah, there is no Sawaab (reward) although Ghusl will be valid.

PROCEDURE FOR PERFORMING GHUSL

1. Wash both hands, including the wrists.

2. Wash the private parts. The hands and private parts should be washed even if one is not in the state of Janaabat (sexual impurity) or in need of Ghusl.

3. If there is visible filth elsewhere on the body, it should now be washed off.

4. Perform Wudhu. If one is making Ghusl on a stool or platform where water will rapidly flow away, then perform the complete Wudhu. If there is a fear of the feet being dipped in waste water during the Ghusl, then postpone the washing of the feet to the end of the Ghusl. Ensure that the mouth and nostrils are thoroughly rinsed thrice.

5. After performing Wudhu pour water over the head thrice.

6. Thereafter pour water thrice over the right shoulder and thrice over the left shoulder.

7. Then pour water over the entire body and rub.

8. If the hairs of the head are not plaited, it is compulsory to wet all the hair upto the very base.
   • If a single hair is left dry, Ghusl will not be valid.

   • If the hair of a woman is plaited, she is excused from loosening her plaited hair but it is compulsory for her to wet the base of each and every hair. If she fails to do so then the Ghusl will not be valid.

   • As for men who grow long hair and plait it, they are not excused from leaving their hair dry.

   • If a woman experiences difficulty or is unable to wet the very bottom of her plaited hair, then it is necessary for her to unplait her hair and wash her entire hair.

9. It is Mustahab (preferable) to clean the body by rubbing it.
   • All parts of the body should be rubbed with the hands to ensure that water has reached all parts of the body and no portion is left dry.

10. Rings, earrings, etc., should be removed to ensure that no portion covered by them is left dry. Ensure that the navel and ears are all wet. If they are not wet, Ghusl will be incomplete.

11. On completion, one should confine oneself to a clean place. If, while performing Wudhu, the feet had been washed, it is not necessary to wash them again. Dry the body with a clean towel and dress as hastily as possible.

12. If after Ghusl one recalls that a certain portion of the body is left dry, it is not necessary to repeat the entire Ghusl. Merely wash the dry portion. It is not sufficient to pass a wet hand over the dry place. If one has forgotten to rinse the mouth or the nostrils, these too must be rinsed when recalled after Ghusl has been performed.

MASAA-IL PERTAINING TO GHUSL

1. It is permissible to leave the head dry and wash the rest of the body if it is harmful to apply water to the head due to some sickness or ailment. However, once the person is cured of his sickness, it is Wajib (compulsory) to wash the head. Water has to flow over it.

2. Make haste in covering the body. One should not delay in wearing one's clothes after completing the Ghusl. The Shar'iah emphasises this so much, that if the feet have not been washed as yet, then first put on the clothes and thereafter wash the feet.

3. It is not necessary to remove the ointment from a cut or wound during Ghusl. Just pour water over it.

4. After Ghusl, Wudhu should not be make to perform Salaat or for any other Ibaadat since the Ghusl is sufficient.

5. It is preferable to cut the nails of the fingers and toes as well as remove the hair from under the armpits and below the navel before taking a bath. If one is required to bathe due to impurities (eg. Janaabat), then it is not permissible to remove, cut or break any nails or hair from any part of the body. Unwanted hair should preferably be removed once a week. If this is not possible then every second week. Care should be taken that it is not left for more than 40 days. Beyond 40 days the neglector will be sinful.

   Sequence to be followed in clipping of the finger- and toe-nails:

   Pairing of the finger nails should begin at the Shahaadat finger (index finger of the right hand). The nails of the balance three fingers (of the right hand) should be clipped next, in order (eg. middle, ring, and little). Thereafter continue with the small finger of the left hand and complete the remaining three fingers and thumb, in sequence. Lastly, clip the nail of the right thumb.

   Clipping of the toe-nails should begin at the small toe of the right foot and end at the small toe of the left foot, in order.

* It is compulsory for a person who is in the state of Janaabat (impurity) to perform Ghusl. It is also compulsory for a woman to have a bath after Haidh (monthly menstruation, maximum of 10 days) and Nifaas (blood which flows after childbirth, maximum is 40 days).