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Noor Guideنور

Purity beyond wudu

الطهارة بعد الوضوء

Wudu is not always enough. After certain events a full bath is required before you can pray, and when water is unavailable or would harm you there is a substitute. This module covers the three situations a beginner meets first.

When a full bath (ghusl) is required

  1. 1

    After sexual intercourse, whether or not there is discharge.

    Reported with the wording that bathing is obligatory even without emission. An earlier narration tying it to emission alone is held by the majority to have been abrogated.

    Hadith: Sahih Muslim 348
  2. 2

    After the discharge of semen, whether awake or in sleep.

    Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 282
  3. 3

    At the end of menstruation.

    Quran: Quran 2:222
  4. 4

    At the end of postnatal bleeding.

    Hadith: Sunan Abu Dawud 311
  5. 5

    On accepting Islam.

    Hadith: Sunan Abu Dawud 355

How to perform ghusl

  1. 1

    Form the intention in your heart.

    Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 1
  2. 2

    Wash both hands, then wash the private parts.

    Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 249
  3. 3

    Perform a complete wudu.

    Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 248
  4. 4

    Pour water over the head three times, working it to the roots of the hair.

    Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 248
  5. 5

    Pour water over the whole body, starting with the right side, making sure no part is left dry.

    Beginning with the right is the Prophet's general practice rather than a wording in this narration.

    Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 248

Tayammum, when there is no water

  1. 1

    It is permitted when no water is available, when the water is needed for drinking, or when using it would cause or worsen illness.

    Quran: Quran 5:6
  2. 2

    Strike both palms once on clean earth or dust.

    Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 347
  3. 3

    Wipe the face with both hands.

    Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 347
  4. 4

    Wipe the back of each hand with the other palm.

    Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 347
  5. 5

    It replaces both wudu and ghusl, and ends as soon as water becomes usable again.

    Hadith: Sunan Abu Dawud 332

Menstruation and postnatal bleeding

  1. 1

    Prayer is not performed during this time, and it is not made up afterwards.

    Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 321
  2. 2

    Fasting is not performed during this time, but the missed days are made up later.

    This difference between prayer and fasting is reported from Aisha and is the position of the four schools.

    Hadith: Sahih Muslim 335
  3. 3

    Remembrance of Allah, supplication, and reading translations remain open at all times.

    Hadith: Sahih Muslim 373
  4. 4

    When the bleeding ends, perform ghusl and resume praying.

    Hadith: Sahih al-Bukhari 320