بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
“In the name of Allah the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.”
Ghusl is the Arabic term for full body ritual purification. (bath). Ghusl is not only a physical, but also a spiritual cleanser. When a person is in need of ghusl, we will say he is in the state of janabah (major impurity). In this state it is not permissible for a person to do various acts of worships, salaah being one of the most important one. This can leave one feeling uneasy, depressed & restless, especially for women who have been in this state for many days due to menstruation. Moreover after intercourse the body usually feels exhausted. Ghusl eliminates this tiredness & restores ones energy at the same time making them feel relaxed, refreshed & providing spiritual ease & strength.
When a person is in the state of janabah (major impurity), they are also more vulnerable to being affected by jins & shaitaan. Black magic also tends to have a stronger effect on a person when they are in this state as being in this state creates a distance between man & angels. This is why one should not delay their ghusl when it is due.
“The angels (of mercy) do not enter a house in which there is a picture, a dog or a person who is Junub (in the state of major impurity).” [Sunan al-Nasa’ie]
Scholars have further explained this hadith stating that by “Junub” it is not referring to a person who has the intention to perform ghusl as soon as they can, rather a person who is lazy, neglectful & delays ghusl intentionally with no worry for his / her salaah etc.
In the following situations ghusl will become Fardh (compulsory):
- After intercourse
- After a wet dream
- After the ejaculation of semen (whether intercourse takes place or not) for both men & women. This will also be applied when either one of them reaches climax by fondling the private parts.
- After the male private part enters the females even if no ejaculation takes place.
- After Haidh (menstruation)
- After Nifaas (bleeding after childbirth)
~Written by Umm Aa’ishah -Graduate of Ar-Rahman Madrassah (Bolton)