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Ghusl: A Simple Guide

For anyone learning for the first time. Take your time — there's no rush.

Ghusl is a full-body wash that restores ritual purity. After your period ends, ghusl is needed before you can pray or fast again (Qur'an 2:222). Once you know the steps, it only takes a few minutes.

What is essential

All scholars agree on this:

  • Water must reach your whole body, including your hair and the skin under it.

The schools of thought differ on other details. For example:

  • Intention is required in the Shafi'i, Maliki and Hanbali schools. The Hanafi school sees it as recommended.
  • Rinsing the mouth and nose is required in the Hanafi and Hanbali schools, and recommended in the others.
  • Rubbing the body and washing without long pauses are required in the Maliki school.

If you aren't sure which applies to you, follow what your family, teacher or local mosque follows, and ask them.

Step by step

This order follows how the Prophet ﷺ performed ghusl, as described by Aishah and Maymunah (Sahih al-Bukhari 248 and 249; Sahih Muslim 316 and 317). Following it in full is recommended, and it covers what is essential.

  1. 1

    Make your intention

    In your heart, intend to perform ghusl to purify yourself after your period has ended. You don't need to say it out loud.

  2. 2

    Say “Bismillah”

    Begin in the name of Allah.

  3. 3

    Wash your hands

    Wash both hands, up to the wrists, three times.

  4. 4

    Wash the private area

    Clean the private parts and remove any traces of blood, using your left hand.

  5. 5

    Perform wudu

    Make wudu as you would for prayer. Some people leave washing the feet until the end.

  6. 6

    Pour water over your head

    Pour water over your head three times, working it into the roots of your hair so the scalp gets wet.

  7. 7

    Wash your whole body

    Pour water over your body, starting with the right side, then the left. Make sure water reaches every part — behind the ears, the navel, under the arms and between the toes.

  8. 8

    Finish

    If you didn't wash your feet earlier, wash them now. Your ghusl is complete.

After menstruation: it's recommended to use a little fragrance on a piece of cloth or cotton to freshen the area where blood was, as the Prophet ﷺ advised (Sahih al-Bukhari 314; Sahih Muslim 332).

My checklist

Tick these off as you go. Nothing is saved or recorded.

This is a simple introduction, not a religious ruling. If you're unsure about anything, please ask a trusted scholar or teacher — that's always a good thing to do.