Hanafi Fiqh – Purification Through Ghusl

The book covered: Ascent to Felicity translated by Faraz A. Khan, written originally by Abu ‘I-Iklas al-Shurunbulali titled Maraaqi ‘l-Sa’aadat

The Purification Bath (Ghusl)

The following three actions are obligatory integrals of Ghusl:

1. Rinsing the entire mouth once
2. Rinsing the nose, up to the bone, once
3. Washing whatever is possible, without undue difficulty or hardship, of the entire body once

The Emphasized (Mu’akkadah) Sunnahs of the Ghusl are the following in this order:

1. Intention
2. Washing the hands until the wrists
3. Washing one’s private parts
4. Washing off any filth from the body
5. Performing wudhu first, then to pour water over the entire body, starting with the head for three times (If underneath a showerhead or rain, rain underneath it for the length of what would take three rinses, around a six minute shower)

Ghusl like Wudhu is of three types:

Obligatory (Fard) if:

1. The emission of sperm/sexual fluid that leaves the body
2. The disappearance of the head of the penis into the vagina, or the anus, of a living human being whose body is desirable
3. The ending of menstruation or postnatal bleeding

Mandatory (Wajib) if:

1. Someone who becomes Muslim while in a state of major ritual impurity

Recommended (Nafl) for any one of the following reasons:

1. The Friday prayer
2. The two E’id prayers
3. Entering into a state of pilgrim sanctity
4. The Day of ‘Arafa
5. Entering Mecca
6. Entering Medina
7. Visiting the Prophet SAW

Should be noted that Ghusl is not necessary after any of the following:

1. Exit of madhy or wady (pre-sexual fluid) however, wudhu is required
2. Waking up after having a wet dream yet finding no wetness, even for a woman
3. The insertion of a finger or the like into the vagina
4. Intercourse with an animal without the emission of sperm