How
ghusl is performed:
According to the practice of the Prophet, upon whom be
peace, the correct manner of performing ghusl is:
1.
wash both hands three times,
2. wash the private parts,
3. make a complete ablution (like the one made for prayer--the
Prophet used to delay washing his feet until the end of
his ghusl if he was using a tub, and so on),
4. rub water through one's hair three times, letting the
water reach down to the roots of the hair,
5. pour water over the entire body, begining with the right
side, then the left, washing under the armpits, inside the
ears, inside the navel, inside the toes and whatever part
of the body can be easily rubbed. This account is based
on the following report from 'Aishah: "When the Prophet,
upon whom be peace, took his bath after sexual intercourse,
he would begin by washing his hands. Then he would pour
water from his right hand to his left and wash his sexual
organs, make the ablution for prayer, take some water and
put his fingers to the roots of his hair to the extent that
he sees that the skin is wet, then pour water over his head
three times and then over the rest of his body." (Related
by al-Bukhari and Muslim.) In one narration it states, "He
used to rub his head with his hands until he was certain
the water reached his skin, and then he poured water over
it three times." It is also related that she said, "When
the Prophet would perform ghusl after having had sexual
intercourse, he would call for some water, which he would
pour on his right hand to wash the right side of his head
and then the left. He would then take water with both hands
and pour it over his head." Said Maimunah, "I put water
out for the Messenger of Allah to perform ghusl. He washed
his hands two or three times, and then he poured water from
his right hand to his left and washed his private parts,
wiped his hands on the earth, rinsed his mouth and nose,
washed his face and hands, washed his head three times,
poured water over his body, and finally moved from his place
and washed his feet. I brought him a towel, but he did not
take it, for he shook the water off with his hands." (Related
by "the group.")
Ghusl
for women:
A woman performs ghusl just as a man does, except that if
she has plaited hair she does not have to undo it, provided
that the water can reach the roots of her hair. Umm Salamah
said, "O Messenger of Allah, I am a woman who has closely
plaited hair on my head. Do I have to undo them for ghusl
after sexual intercourse?" He said, "No, it is enough for
you to throw three handfuls of water on your head and then
pour water over yourself. After doing this, you shall be
cleansed." (Related by Ahmad, Muslim and at-Tirmidhi, who
called it hassan sahih.) 'Ubaid ibn 'Umair reported that
'Aishah discovered that 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr was ordering
the women to undo their plaits of hair (for ghusl). She
observed, "It is amazing that Ibn 'Amr orders the woment
to undo the plaits of hair for ghusl. Why doesn't he just
order them to shave their heads? I and the Messenger of
Allah used to bathe from one vessel, and all I did was pour
three handfuls of water over my head."(Related by Ahmad
and Muslim.)
It
is preferrable for a woman performing ghusl to cleanse herself
from menstruation or post-childbirth bleeding to take some
cotton smeared with musk or perfume and wipe it over the
traces of blood. This will remove the bad smell of the menstrual
blood. 'Aishah reported, "'Asma bint Yazid asked the Messenger
of Allah about ghusl after menstruation has ended. He said,
"She should use water mixed with the leaves of the lote-tree
and cleanse herself. Then she should pour water over her
head and rub it well till it reaches the roots of the hair,
after which she should pour water over it. Afterwards, she
should take a piece of cotton smeared with musk and cleanse
herself with it." 'Asma asked, "How should she cleanse herself
with it?" He said, "Praise be to Allah, she should cleanse
herself with it." 'Aishah said in a subdued tone that she
should apply it to the traces of blood. 'Asma then asked
about bathing after sexual intercourse. He said, "She should
take water and cleanse herself or complete the ablution,
pour water on her head and rub it till it reaches the roots
of her hair, and then she should pour water over herself."
'Aishah observed, "How good are the women of the 'helpers'
that shyness does not keep them from learning their religion."
(Related by "the group," except at-Tirmidhi.)
Questions
related to Ghusl:
It is sufficient to perform one ghusl for both menstruation
and sexual impurity, or for the Friday prayer and the 'id
prayer, or for sexual impurity and the Friday prayer, if
one has the intention for both of them. This is based on
the Prophet's saying, "All acts are based on intentions."
If a person performed post-sex ghusl but did not make ablution,
the ghusl will suffice. Said 'Aishah, "The Messenger of
Allah did not perform ablution after ghusl." Ibn 'Umar said
to a man who had told him that he performed ablution after
ghusl, "You went too far." Says Abu Bakr ibn al-'Arabi,
"There is no difference of opinion among the scholars that
ablution falls under the category of ghusl. If the intention
was to remove sexual impurity, it also includes the minor
impurities, as what sexual impurity prevents is greater
than what the minor impurities prevent. The smaller one
falls under the greater one, and the intention for the greater
one suffices.''
It
is acceptable for a person in post-sex uncleanliness or
a menstruating woman to remove their hairs, cut their nails,
go to the markets, and so on, without any dislike. 'Ata
said that such people can get cupped, cut their nails and
their hair, and that this is allowed even if he (or she)
has not performed the regular ablution. (Related by al-Bukhari).
One
may enter a public bathroom. As long as he keeps his private
parts from being seen, and he does not look at others' private
parts. Says Ahmad, "If you know that everyone inside the
bathroom is wearing a loincloth, you may enter. If not,
then don't enter." The Prophet, upon whom be peace, said,
"A man should not look at another man's private parts, and
a woman should not look at another woman's private parts."
There is no problem with mentioning Allah's name in the
public baths, as mentioning the name of Allah under any
circumstances is good, since there is no text prohibiting
it. The Messenger of Allah used to remember Allah under
all circumstances.
There
is no problem in drying one's self with a towel or other
cloth after performing ablution or ghusl during the summer
or winter.
It
is permissible for a man to use the water left over by a
woman and vice-versa. This is derived from the fact that
it is permissible for them to perform ghusl from the same
container. Ibn 'Abbas narrated that some of the Prophet's
wives were performing ghusl from a container. The Prophet
came and performed his ablution or ghusl from it. They said
to him, "We were sexually unclean." He said, "The water
does not become impure." (Related by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, an-Nasa'i
and at-Tirmidhi, who called it hassan sahih). 'Aishah used
to wash with the Messenger of Allah from one container,
and they would take turns taking water until he said, "Leave
some for me, leave some for me."
It
is not allowed to bathe in the nude in front of people.
It is forbidden to uncover one's private parts. If you cover
it with some clothes, it is permissible. The Messenger of
Allah would cover Fatimah with a curtain when she performed
ghusl. If one performs ghusl in the nude, far away from
the people, it is not prohibited. The prophets Musa (Moses)
and Ayyub (Job) did so, as al-Bukhari, Ahmad, and an-Nasa'i
recorded.
