Originally posted 2024-04-14 16:15:29.

Ghusl: The Major Ablution in Islamic Law

Ghusl is the major form of ablution in Islamic law (Shariʿah), as opposed to wuduʾ (minor ablution). It is an act of worship that involves washing the entire body with water. Ghusl becomes obligatory in the following situations:

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1. Discharge of Al-Mani (Semen) Due to Stimulation

The consensus among jurists is that ghusl is obligatory if semen is discharged due to stimulation, whether during sleep or while awake.
Abu Saʿid Al-Khudri reported that he heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say:

“Water (washing) is needed after the ejaculation of semen.”
— Narrated by Muslim

Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that Umm Sulaym said:

“O Messenger of Allah, Allah is not ashamed of the truth. Does a woman have to perform ghusl if she has a wet dream?”
He replied:
“Yes, if she sees the liquid.”
— Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim

Important Clarifications:

• Semen Discharge Without Stimulation:
  If semen is discharged without stimulation—due to illness, extreme cold, etc.—ghusl is not required.
  A narration from Mujahid recounts that a man asked about a discharge following urination. The companions initially ruled that ghusl was necessary, but Ibn ʿAbbas corrected them, saying:

“That is from the cold. Ablution is sufficient.”

• Wet Dream Without Ejaculation:
  If a person experiences a wet dream but finds no trace of ejaculation, ghusl is not obligatory. This is supported by the hadith of Umm Salamah mentioned earlier and a consensus among scholars.

• Uncertainty About Discharge:
  If a person wakes up and finds moisture but does not recall a dream, yet is sure it’s semen, ghusl is advised as a precaution. However, Mujahid and Qatadah said:

“Ghusl is not required unless one is certain it is semen, as the prior state of purity is not invalidated by doubt.”

• Preventing Ejaculation:
  If someone suppresses ejaculation by squeezing the penis, ghusl is not required, unless ejaculation occurs afterward due to movement or loss of control.

• Semen on Clothes After Prayer:
  If a man finds semen on his clothes but is unsure when it occurred, he must perform ghusl and repeat all prayers since the most recent sleep—if he believes the ejaculation occurred before then.

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2. Sexual Intercourse (Contact Between the Two Circumcised Parts)

Ghusl is required if the penis enters the vagina, even without ejaculation. Allah says:

“If you are sexually impure, purify yourselves.”
— (Al-Māʾidah 5:6)

Ash-Shafiʿi stated:

“In Arabic, sexual impurity refers to intercourse, regardless of ejaculation.”

Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“When a man sits between the four parts (of a woman) and has intercourse, ghusl becomes obligatory.”
— Narrated by Ahmad and Muslim

ʿAʾishah also narrated:

“If the two circumcised parts touch, ghusl is required.”
— Narrated by Ahmad and Malik

Note: Mere touching without penetration does not require ghusl, as agreed upon by all scholars.

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3. Completion of Menstruation or Postpartum Bleeding

Regarding menstruation and postpartum bleeding, Allah says:

“Do not approach them until they become pure. When they are pure, go to them as Allah has ordained.”
— (Al-Baqarah 2:222)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) told Fatimah bint Abu Hubaysh:

“Do not pray during your menses. After it ends, perform ghusl and pray.”
— Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim

Postpartum Bleeding:
There is consensus among the Companions that postpartum bleeding requires ghusl. However, if a woman gives birth without any subsequent bleeding, some scholars say ghusl is still required, while others disagree. There is no definitive textual evidence for this particular case.

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4. Upon Death

It is obligatory to wash the body of a deceased Muslim, according to the unanimous agreement of scholars.

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5. Upon Embracing Islam

New Muslims must perform ghusl upon converting to Islam.
Abu Hurairah reported that Thumamah Al-Hanafi was captured and later embraced Islam. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Go to the garden of Abu Talhah and perform ghusl.”
Thumamah did so, and upon returning, the Prophet said:
“Your brother has become a good Muslim.”
— Narrated by Ahmad

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Quoted with slight modifications from Sayid Sabiq’s Fiqh As-Sunnah.