Ghusl is washing the whole body with the intention of purification. It is required after sexual intercourse (even without ejaculation), after the discharge of semen, at the end of menstruation and postnatal bleeding, and for washing a deceased Muslim. The Quran says: if you are in a state of janabah, purify yourselves (5:6).
1What requires ghusl
The discharge of semen, in sleep or awake, with pleasure.
Sexual intercourse, when the two private parts meet, even without ejaculation. Aisha explained this in the hadith narrated in Sahih Muslim.
The end of menstruation and of postnatal bleeding (nifas).
Washing a deceased Muslim is an obligation on the community, so that the body is bathed before burial.
2The complete way, as the Prophet ﷺ did it
Make the intention and say Bismillah.
Wash the hands, then the private parts.
Perform wudu as for prayer.
Pour water over the head three times until it reaches the roots of the hair.
Pour water over the rest of the body, starting with the right side.
3What makes it valid at the least
The intention, and water reaching the whole body, including the skin under the hair.
A woman does not have to undo her plait if the water reaches the roots of her hair.
After ghusl for janabah, a separate wudu is not required if the full way was followed, as the Prophet ﷺ did not repeat it.
Where the schools differ
The four Sunni schools agree on the main ruling above and differ in these points. No school is preferred here.
Rinsing the mouth and nose is obligatory in ghusl in the Hanafi and Hanbali schools and recommended in the Maliki and Shafi'i schools.
The Maliki school requires rubbing the body (dalk) while washing. The other schools say pouring the water over it is enough.
O you who have believed, when you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles. And if you are in a state of janabah, then purify yourselves. But if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women and do not find water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and hands with it. Allah does not intend to make difficulty for you, but He intends to purify you and complete His favor upon you that you may be grateful.
O you who have believed, do not approach prayer while you are intoxicated until you know what you are saying or in a state of janabah, except those passing through [a place of prayer], until you have washed [your whole body]. And if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women and find no water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and your hands [with it]. Indeed, Allah is ever Pardoning and Forgiving.
From the Sunnah
Sahih Muslim 349Authentic collection
The point of the hadith: Aisha explained that when the private parts meet, ghusl is obligatory.
This is general information, not a fatwa. For your own situation, ask a qualified scholar.
Fiqh questions
Ghusl (the full bath): when it is required and how to do it
Ghusl is washing the whole body with the intention of purification. It is required after sexual intercourse (even without ejaculation), after the discharge of semen, at the end of menstruation and postnatal bleeding, and for washing a deceased Muslim. The Quran says: if you are in a state of janabah, purify yourselves (5:6).
Is this a fatwa?
No. It is a summary of well-known rulings with their evidence. For your own case, ask a qualified scholar.
What if my school differs from this answer?
Follow the view of the school you follow and the scholar who teaches you. The page lists the differences of the four schools.
