Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim, Today’s topic of discussion is “What is the Meaning, Fard & Sunnah of Ghusl in Islam”.
Ghusl meaning
Ghusl means to wash. In Shariah, Ghusl means cleaning the whole body with ablution to attain purity. Ghusl is two types: Fard and mustahab.
(1) Fard: It is called the essential bath. A bath is obligatory if he becomes impure at the age of puberty. For example, Almighty Allah says, if you are unclean, take a bath. (Mayda: 6).
(2) Mustahab: It is called the bath which is not essential. But doing it is good. For example, he was bathing on Friday or two Eid days. Performing ablution before a normal bath is beneficial for health. Sayyid Sabiq calls it ‘mandub’ (pleasant). (Fiqhus Sunnah 1/41).
Fard of Ghusl
There are three duties of bathing. Namely:
1. Cooing with gargling
2. Watering the nose
3. Wash the whole body.
Sunnah of Ghusl
1. Saying ‘Bismillah’ before starting Ghusl.
2. Destining to achieve holiness.
3. Washing both hands with wrists three times like wudhu.
4. Clean clothes or body parts before taking a bath.
5. Ablution before bathing. If the place of bathing is low and there is a risk of water accumulation, clean both feet including the heels.
6. Flowing water three times on the right side, on the left side, and on the head.
Ghusl steps
For Farj Ghusl, first, wash up to the wrists of both hands and then wipe off the impurity. Then say ‘Bismillah’ and do ablution like the ablution of prayer. After that, first pour water on the head three times and the water will reach the roots of the hair well. Then pour water all over the body and complete the bath.
Muttafaq alaih, Muslim, Mishkat ha/435.
Knowledge
(1) Women do not need to open their heads while bathing. Only the root of the hair three times with three hot water. Then pour water all over the body. (Muslim, Mishkat ha/438).
(2) The Prophet (PBUH) used to perform ablution with one mudd (625 grams) of water and ablution with at least five mudds (3125 grams) or about one hundred and three kilograms of water. (Muttafaq Alaih, Irwaul Galil Ha/139; four items are one Cha’. Irwa, Commentary on the said Hadith p. 1/170; Abu Dawud Ha/96).
It is not right to waste excess water.
(3) The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) ordered everyone, whether male or female, to take a bath between veils. (Abu Dawud, Nasa’i, Mishkat Ha/447).
(4) There is no fault in bathing naked in the bathroom behind a screen or away from public view. (Muslim ha/339; Bukhari ha/278; Mishkat ha/5706-07; Fiqhs Sunnah 1/58).
(5) There is no need to perform ablution again if the ablution is not broken after taking ablution with ablution. (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Nasa’i, Mishkat ha/445).
(6) The Holy Qur’an cannot be touched in an impure state before the obligatory bath! However, it is permissible to recite the Qur’an orally and to enter the mosque. (Fiqhus Sunnah 1/51-52).
It is permissible to touch or carry the Qur’an in general impurity. (Fiqhus Sunnah 1/43).
Mustahab Ghusl
(1) Bathing before Jumu’ar Salat. (Muttafaq Alaih, Mishkat Ha/537-39, Purity Chapter-3, ‘Masnoon Ghusl’ Paragraph-11).
(2) Taking a bath for the morda bath donor. (Ibn Majah, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Mishkat Ha/541).
(3) Bathing while accepting Islam. (Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Nasa’i, Mishkat Ha/543).
(4) Bathing before putting on Ihram for Hajj or Umrah. (Daraqutani, Hakem, Irwaul Galil Ha/149, p. 1/179).
(5) Bathing on the day of Arafah. (Bayhaqi, Irwa ha/146, note ‘benefit’; Nayl 1/357).
(6) Bathing in the morning of two Eid days. (Bayhaqi, Irwa ha/146, note ‘benefit’; Nayal 1/357).
