The full bath (ghusl)

Ghusl is the washing of the whole body. It lifts the major ḥadath. Allah says: "And if you are in a state of major impurity (junuban), purify yourselves" (meaning of part of verse 5:6).

When is ghusl obligatory? 1. After the emission of semen with pleasure, awake or asleep (a dream), for men and women alike (Bukhari 282, Muslim 313). 2. After intimate relations, even without ejaculation (Bukhari 291, Muslim 348). 3. At the end of menstruation (ḥayḍ) and post-natal bleeding (nifaas) (meaning of verse 2:222). 4. For a Muslim who has died: the body is washed (the community does it). 5. For someone entering Islam: recommended or obligatory depending on the school (Abu Dawud 355, Tirmidhi 605) [À VÉRIFIER : numéros] [À VÉRIFIER : les écoles diffèrent, l'imam tranche]. Someone who finds a wet trace on waking without remembering a dream: if it is semen, they make ghusl; the details [À VÉRIFIER : les écoles diffèrent, l'imam tranche].

When is ghusl recommended? • On Friday, before the Jumu'ah prayer (Bukhari 877, Muslim 844): recommended for the majority, with one view that makes it obligatory [À VÉRIFIER : les écoles diffèrent, l'imam tranche]. • The two festivals ('Iid), entering the state of consecration (iḥraam) for the pilgrimage. • After washing a deceased person.

The minimum The intention, then making water reach the whole body, hair and skin included. For the Hanafis, rinsing the mouth and nose is part of the minimum; for the Malikis, rubbing too [À VÉRIFIER : les écoles diffèrent, l'imam tranche].

The complete way, according to 'Aa'isha (Bukhari 248, Muslim 316) and Maymuuna (Bukhari 249, Muslim 317) 1. The intention, then "bismillaah". 2. Wash the hands three times. 3. Wash the private parts with the left hand, removing every trace. 4. Make wudu as for prayer; the feet may be left until the end. 5. Pour water over the head three times, working it into the roots of the hair. 6. Pour water over the whole body, starting with the right side, then the left, without forgetting the folds (armpits, navel, behind the ears, between the toes). 7. Wash the feet, if not done yet. An ordinary shower, with the intention and water over the whole body (and the mouth and nose rinsed), is enough for validity.

Women and braids Umm Salama asked whether she had to undo her braids for the ghusl of janaaba. The Prophet ﷺ answered: "No, it is enough for you to pour water over your head three times" (Muslim 330). For the end of menstruation, some scholars recommend undoing them [À VÉRIFIER : les écoles diffèrent, l'imam tranche]. After menstruation, it is recommended to apply a little perfume where the blood was (Bukhari 314, Muslim 332).

What is not done in a state of janaaba, before ghusl • Praying, making ṭawaaf, touching the mushaf (as without wudu). • Staying in the mosque; passing through it is permitted for the majority (meaning of verse 4:43). • Reciting the Qur'an: forbidden for the majority; supplications and dhikr remain permitted [À VÉRIFIER : les écoles diffèrent, l'imam tranche]. One may sleep, eat and go out in a state of janaaba; it is recommended to make at least wudu before sleeping (Bukhari 287, Muslim 306). Ghusl does not have to be done immediately, but before the next prayer.

Exercise: reread the seven steps, then compare them with your usual way of showering. What is missing to make it a complete ghusl?

Understanding the lesson

Explanation Ghusl concerns very human moments: intimate life, the body's cycles, birth, death. Islam does not hide them or make them shameful: it surrounds them with simple and dignified rules. The female and male companions asked the Prophet ﷺ these questions without embarrassment; 'Aa'isha praised the women of Madinah, whose modesty did not prevent them from learning their religion (Muslim 332). Janaaba is not a sin: it is a state, like needing to make wudu. A believer in a state of janaaba is not impure as a person: the Prophet ﷺ told Abu Hurayra so (Bukhari 283, Muslim 371). For a new Muslim, the ghusl of entering Islam is a beautiful symbol: a new life begins. Whether it is obligatory or recommended depending on the school, it is good to do it. Common mistakes: delaying ghusl so long that a prayer is missed; thinking it requires a complicated ritual; forgetting the roots of the hair or the folds of the body; giving in to doubts after washing. Points where the schools differ: rinsing the mouth and nose (obligatory for the Hanafis); rubbing (obligatory for the Malikis); the Friday ghusl and the ghusl of conversion; braids at the end of menstruation; recitation of the Qur'an by a person in janaaba or menstruating [À VÉRIFIER : les écoles diffèrent, l'imam tranche].

Lessons to draw from it • Make ghusl without delay, at the latest before the next prayer. • Learn the complete way, but know that the minimum is enough for validity. • Talk about these subjects with the imam or a female teacher without embarrassment: it is learning your religion. • Use the Friday ghusl to prepare for Jumu'ah.

Key points to remember • Obligatory ghusl: semen, intimate relations, end of menstruation and post-natal bleeding, the deceased. • Recommended: Friday, 'Iid, iḥraam. • Minimum: intention + water over the whole body (+ mouth and nose for the Hanafis). • Braids: three pourings of water over the head are enough (Muslim 330).

The main message Ghusl renews the purity of the whole body: a simple act, provided for life's significant moments, that lets us return to prayer without shame or complication.