Ghusl, the full-body purification

Muslims distinguish between two states: major impurity and minor impurity. Minor impurity is removed by wudu (tomorrow's lesson). Major impurity is removed by ghusl, a full-body ritual wash.

You need ghusl after sexual intimacy, after menstruation or postnatal bleeding, and (most scholars say) when you enter Islam. Becoming Muslim is one of the moments a ghusl is recommended, because it marks the start. Some scholars require it, others strongly recommend it. Either way, doing one today is a good idea.

How to do it

At its simplest, ghusl is this: intend in your heart that this is a ritual purification, then let water reach every part of your body, including washing out your mouth and nose. A shower where you deliberately rinse your whole body, including rinsing your mouth and nose, covers it.

The fuller version, following the Prophet's ﷺ method (Sahih al-Bukhari 248), goes like this:

• Make intention in your heart. You do not say it out loud. You simply mean, this is my ghusl to purify myself for the sake of Allah.
• Say bismillah (in the name of Allah).
• Wash your hands three times.
• Wash your private parts with your left hand, removing any impurity.
• Make a full wudu, same as for prayer (tomorrow covers this in detail).
• Pour water over your head three times, making sure it reaches the scalp.
• Pour water over your right side of the body, then the left. Rub with your hands so every part is wet.
• Move your feet aside to a clean spot and wash them if they were not yet washed.

After ghusl you are in a fully pure state, ready for anything including prayer, touching a Quran, or entering a mosque.

A few practical notes

• Ghusl in a shower is fine. You do not need a tub. You just need water to reach everywhere.
• Long hair does not have to be undone for ghusl in most cases. Water reaching the scalp is enough.
• For women after menstruation, a full ghusl is required before resuming salah.
• If you are uncertain whether you need ghusl or just wudu, and you cannot ask, do the ghusl. It covers both.

The feeling after a proper ghusl is difficult to describe in writing. Reverts almost always comment on it. A kind of quiet. A sense that something has actually happened.