This
is based on the following: Says Allah, “If you are sexually impure, cleanse
yourselves,” that is, perform ghusl, and “They ask you concerning menstruation.
Say: ‘It is an illness, so leave women alone at such times and go not in unto
them until they are cleansed,” that is, until they perform ghusl. The proof
that cleansing means ghusl is in the verse, “O you who believe, draw not unto
the prayer when you are drunk until you know what you utter, nor when you are
polluted, save when journeying upon the road, until you have bathed
(taghtasilu).” This shows that ghusl, the washing of all bodily parts, is
meant.
How
ghusl is performed
According
to the practice of the Prophet, upon whom be peace, the correct manner of
performing ghusl is:
1. wash both hands three times,
2. wash the penis,
3. make a complete ablution (like the one made for prayer--the Prophet used to
delay washing his feet until the end of his ghusl if he was using a tub, and so
on),
4. rub water through one’s hair three times, letting the water reach down to the
roots of the hair,
5. pour water over the entire body, beginning with the right side, then the left,
washing under the armpits, inside the ears, inside the navel, inside the toes
and whatever part of the body can be easily rubbed. This account is based on
the following report from ‘Aishah: “When the Prophet, upon whom be peace, took
his bath after sexual intercourse, he would begin by washing his hands. Then he
would pour water from his right hand to his left and wash his sexual organs,
make the ablution for prayer, take some water and put his fingers to the roots
of his hair to the extent that he sees that the skin is wet, then pour water
over his head three times and then over the rest of his body.” (Related by al
Bukhari and Muslim.) In one narration it states, “He used to rub his head with
his hands until he was certain the water reached his skin, and then he poured
water over it three times.” It is also related that she said, “When the Prophet
would perform ghusl after having had sexual intercourse, he would call for some
water, which he would pour on his right hand to wash the right side of his head
and then the left. He would then take water with both hands and pour it over
his head.” Said Maimunah, “I put water out for the Messenger of Allah to
perform ghusl. He washed his hands two or three times, and then he poured water
from his right hand to his left and washed his private parts, wiped his hands
on the earth, rinsed his mouth and nose, washed his face and hands, washed his
head three times, poured water over his body, and finally moved from his place
and washed his feet. I brought him a towel, but he did not take it, for he
shook the water off with his hands.” (Related by “the group.”)
Ghusl
for women
A
woman performs ghusl just as a man does, except that if she has plaited hair
she does not have to undo it, provided that the water can reach the roots of
her hair. Umm Salamah said, “O Messenger of Allah, I am a woman who has closely
plaited hair on my head. Do I have to undo them for ghusl after sexual
intercourse?” He said, “No, it is enough for you to throw three handfuls of
water on your head and then pour water over yourself. After doing this, you
shall be cleansed.” (Related by Ahmad, Muslim and at-Tirmizhi, who called it
Hassan sahih.) ‘Ubaid ibn ‘Umair reported that ‘Aishah discovered that
‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr was ordering the women to undo their plaits of hair (for
ghusl). She observed, “It is amazing that Ibn ‘Amr orders the women to undo the
plaits of hair for ghusl. Why doesn’t he just order them to shave their heads?
I and the Messenger of Allah used to bathe from one vessel, and all I did was
pour three handfuls of water over my head.”(Related by Ahmad and Muslim.)
It
is preferrable for a woman performing ghusl to cleanse herself from
menstruation or post-childbirth bleeding to take some cotton smeared with musk
or perfume and wipe it over the traces of blood. This will remove the bad smell
of the menstrual blood. ‘Aishah reported, “’Asma bint Yazid asked the Messenger
of Allah about ghusl after menstruation has ended. He said, “She should use
water mixed with the leaves of the lote-tree and cleanse herself. Then she
should pour water over her head and rub it well till it reaches the roots of
the hair, after which she should pour water over it. Afterwards, she should
take a piece of cotton smeared with musk and cleanse herself with it.” ‘Asma
asked, “How should she cleanse herself with it?” He said, “Praise be to Allah,
she should cleanse herself with it.” ‘Aishah said in a subdued tone that she
should apply it to the traces of blood. ‘Asma then asked about bathing after
sexual intercourse. He said, “She should take water and cleanse herself or
complete the ablution, pour water on her head and rub it till it reaches the
roots of her hair, and then she should pour water over herself.” ‘Aishah
observed, “How good are the women of the ‘helpers’ that shyness does not keep
them from learning their religion.” (Related by “the group,” except
at-Tirmizhi.)
Questions
related to Ghusl
It
is sufficient to perform one ghusl for both menstruation and sexual impurity,
or for the Friday prayer and the ‘id prayer, or for sexual impurity and the
Friday prayer, if one has the intention for both of them. This is based on the
Prophet’s saying, “All acts are based on intentions.”
If
a person performed post-sex ghusl but did not make ablution, the ghusl will
suffice. Said ‘Aishah, “The Messenger of Allah did not perform ablution after
ghusl.” Ibn ‘Umar said to a man who had told him that he performed ablution
after ghusl, “You went too far.” Says Abu Bakr ibn al-’Arabi, “There is no
difference of opinion among the scholars that ablution falls under the category
of ghusl. If the intention was to remove sexual impurity, it also includes the
minor impurities, as what sexual impurity prevents is greater than what the
minor impurities prevent. The smaller one falls under the greater one, and the
intention for the greater one suffices.’’
It
is acceptable for a person in post-sex uncleanliness or a menstruating woman to
remove their hairs, cut their nails, go to the markets, and so on, without any
dislike. ‘Ata said that such people can get cupped, cut their nails and their
hair, and that this is allowed even if he (or she) has not performed the
regular ablution. (Related by al-Bukhari).
One
may enter a public bathroom. As long as he keeps his private parts from being
seen, and he does not look at others’ private parts. Says Ahmad, “If you know
that everyone inside the bathroom is wearing a loincloth, you may enter. If
not, then don’t enter.” The Prophet, upon whom be peace, said, “A man should
not look at another man’s private parts, and a woman should not look at another
woman’s private parts.” There is no problem with mentioning Allah’s name in the
public baths, as mentioning the name of Allah under any circumstances is good,
since there is no text prohibiting it. The Messenger of Allah used to remember
Allah under all circumstances
To
be continued
