غسل
Ghusl
Pronounced: GHUS-l (the "gh" is a guttural sound from the throat)
Ghusl is the full-body ritual washing required in Islam after certain states of impurity. For women, ghusl is required after hayd and nifas end before they can resume prayer and fasting. It is also required after sexual intercourse and other specific situations. Ghusl has specific steps that distinguish it from a regular shower.
Why it matters for your worship
You cannot resume prayer after hayd or nifas without performing ghusl. It is the bridge between the state of ritual impurity and being able to stand before Allah in salah again. Timing matters too: if your hayd ends before Fajr during Ramadan, performing ghusl means you can fast that day. If you delay it, you might miss the window. Knowing when and how to perform ghusl correctly removes doubt from your worship.
How the four madhabs differ
| Madhab | Ruling |
|---|---|
| Hanafi | Ghusl requires: intention, rinsing the mouth, rinsing the nose, and washing the entire body so that water reaches every part. No specific order is required. |
| Shafi'i | Ghusl requires: intention and washing the entire body including the hair. The intention must be present at the start. Running water through thick hair is required. |
| Maliki | Ghusl requires: intention, washing the entire body, and rubbing the body with the hands to ensure coverage. Continuous washing (muwalat) is recommended. |
| Hanbali | Ghusl requires: intention, saying bismillah, washing the entire body, and ensuring water reaches the roots of the hair. Similar to the Shafi'i requirements. |
Common questions
When is ghusl required after a period?
Ghusl is required once your hayd (or nifas) has ended, meaning you see the signs of tuhr: either white discharge or complete dryness. You should perform ghusl as soon as reasonably possible after seeing these signs so that you do not miss any prayers. If your period ends in the middle of the night, you perform ghusl and pray Fajr at its time.
How do you perform ghusl?
The basic method agreed upon across schools: (1) make the intention for ghusl, (2) wash your hands, (3) wash the private areas, (4) perform wudu as you normally would, (5) pour water over your head three times ensuring it reaches the roots of your hair, (6) wash the entire body starting with the right side then the left. While there are slight variations by madhab, this method is accepted by all four schools.
Can I fast if my period ends at night but I have not done ghusl yet?
Yes. If your period ended before Fajr, you can begin your fast with the intention, and perform ghusl afterward. The fast is valid even if you perform ghusl after Fajr has entered. What matters is that the hayd ended before the fasting window began. This is agreed upon by the four schools.
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