ghusl

Ghusl is a term in Islam referring to a full-body ritual purification performed with a specific intention (niyyah) to attain a state of ritual purity. The word ghusl means “to wash” in Arabic. It is distinct from wudu, which provides partial purification for everyday acts of worship.

Ghusl is required in several circumstances. Ghusl al-janabah (major ritual impurity) is required after sexual intercourse, ejaculation, or seminal emission. Women observe ghusl after the end of menstrual bleeding (haid) or postpartum bleeding (nifas) before resuming prayers and fasting. Ghusl al-mayyit refers to the ritual washing of the deceased before burial.

The essential elements of ghusl involve a deliberate intention and a sequence of washing the body to ensure water reaches every part of the skin and hair. Common practice begins with washing the hands and cleaning the private parts, followed by performing a full ablution (wudu) or its equivalent. Water is then poured over the head three times to ensure the scalp is wetted, after which the entire body is washed, typically in a systematic order to ensure thorough cleansing. The precise steps can vary among schools of Islamic jurisprudence, but the aim remains the same: to remove ritual impurity and restore a state of purity.

Ghusl of the deceased (ghusl al-mayyit) is performed in funeral rites by qualified washers according to local tradition and school, honoring the deceased with a thorough cleansing before burial.

In cases where water is unavailable, or in certain circumstances, tayammum (dry purification) may substitute for ghusl. Adherence to specific practices varies by tradition, but the overarching purpose is consistent: to attain ritual cleanliness for worship and religious observance.