How to perform ghusl (the full ablution), step by step

How to perform ghusl, step by step

• 10 steps
• 6 min
• With audio

Ghusl according to the Sunnah in 10 illustrated steps, for men and women, with the view of your school.

The steps

1. 1 Make the intentionResolve in your heart to purify yourself from major impurity.

   

   Sunnah

   The intention is in the heart: you perform ghusl to lift the state of janabah (or of menstruation).

   According to the Hanafi school

   The intention is a sunnah.

   The views of the four schools

   Hanafi Sunnah

   The intention is a sunnah.

   Maliki Obligatory (fard)

   The intention is obligatory.

   Shafi‘i Obligatory (fard)

   The intention is obligatory, when the water first touches the body.

   Hanbali Condition

   The intention is a condition for ghusl to be valid.

   References al-Bukhari 1

2. 2 Say “Bismillah”Say “Bismillah” before you begin, outside the toilet.

   

   Sunnah

   Say “Bismillah” quietly, before stepping into the shower if the toilet is in the same room.

   (بِسْمِ اللَّهِ).

   Bismi l-lāhBismi l-lah

   In the name of Allah.

   Supplication no. 12 of Hisn al-Muslim

3. 3 Wash the handsWash both hands three times.

   

   Sunnah

   Start by washing both hands three times, before putting them into the water container.

   ×3

   3 times: tap the circle each time to count.

   References al-Bukhari 248

4. 4 Wash the private partsWash the private parts and anything soiled, with the left hand.

   

   Sunnah

   With your left hand, wash the private parts and anything that may have been soiled. Then wash your hand, with soap if possible.

   References al-Bukhari 249

5. 5 Perform wudu as for the prayerPerform a complete wudu; you may leave the feet until the end.

   

   Sunnah

   Perform wudu as you would for the prayer (mouth, nose, face, arms, head, ears). You can wash your feet straight away, or at the end as in the account of Maymunah.

   According to the Hanafi school

   Rinsing the mouth and nose is obligatory in ghusl.

   The views of the four schools

   Hanafi Sunnah

   Rinsing the mouth and nose is obligatory in ghusl.

   Maliki Sunnah

   Shafi‘i Sunnah

   Hanbali Sunnah

   Rinsing the mouth and nose is obligatory in ghusl.

   References al-Bukhari 248, al-Bukhari 249

6. 6 Pour water over the head three timesWork the water into the roots of the hair, then pour water over the head three times.

   

   Obligatory (fard)

   Run your wet fingers through your hair so that water reaches the roots, then pour water over your head three times.

   ×3

   3 times: tap the circle each time to count.

   Did I do it right?

   • Water has reached the roots of the hair.

   References al-Bukhari 248, Muslim 330

7. 7 Wash the right side of the bodyPour water over the whole right side, from the shoulder to the foot.

   

   Sunnah

   Pour water over the right side of your body, from the shoulder to the foot, front and back.

   References al-Bukhari 168

8. 8 Wash the left side of the bodyDo the same with the left side.

   

   Sunnah

   Then pour water over the left side, from the shoulder to the foot.

9. 9 Wash the whole bodyMake sure water reaches the whole body, folds and hollows included.

   

   Obligatory (fard)

   Pass water over your whole body, rubbing as you go: armpits, navel, behind the ears, folds of the skin, between the fingers and toes. This is the obligation shared by all the schools.

   The views of the four schools

   Hanafi Obligatory (fard)

   Maliki Obligatory (fard)

   Rubbing (dalk) and continuity are obligatory.

   Shafi‘i Obligatory (fard)

   Hanbali Obligatory (fard)

   Did I do it right?

   • No part of the body has stayed dry (armpits, navel, folds, backs of the knees).
   • Nothing prevents water from reaching the skin (nail polish, glue, paint).

   References Quran, Al-Ma’idah 5:6

10. 10 Wash the feetIf you left them until the end, move aside a little and wash your feet.

    

    Sunnah

    As in the account of Maymunah, move a little away from where you stood and wash your feet. Your ghusl is complete.

    References al-Bukhari 249

A learning guide based on the references cited. For a particular case, ask a person of knowledge. References Quran, Al-Ma’idah 5:6, Quran, An-Nisa 4:43, al-Bukhari 248, Muslim 316, al-Bukhari 249, Muslim 317, al-Bukhari 1, Muslim 330, al-Bukhari 168, al-Bukhari 314, Muslim 332