Islam is the religion of purity and cleanliness. A Muslim attains purity is attained by using clean and pure water. Linguistically, al-ghusl means to wash all the body with pure water. This is to remove dirt and impurity. Religiously, it means that the pure water reaches all the body parts, with the intention to perform deeds of obedience, like prayer. it is a basic condition for the acceptance of such deeds of worship. It is not necessary to start with a certain body organ. However, Scholars recommend to do like prophet mohammad did. We should do our ghusl in the same way the prophet did.
The scholars’ opinions about al-Ghusl:
Scholars agreed on the necessity of al-ghusl to remove impurities. Allah says in surah al-Nisaa’: “((Hey, you who have believed, don’t perform prayers while you are drunk lest you shouldn’t know what you are saying. nor impure unless you are travelers; till you ritually wash.)) also prophet mohammad said: “((each muslim must wash (at least) every seven days, to wash their heads and bodies.))
The ritual types of Ghusl:
Muslim scholars have classified al-ghusl into two types. The first type is the obligatory ghusl. The second type is the recommended ghusl. The obligatory ghusl is what a Muslim must do after the secretion of semen, sexual intercourses between spouses, the stoppage of menstruation, the stoppage of postpartum, conversion to islam and just after one’s death and before the burial. The recommended or sunnah ghusl is that which replaces wudu’ like the friday ghusl, the eid ghusl, the ihram ghusl; in addition to washing and cooling baths, etc.
Ghusl, step by step:
Ghusl starts with making al-nyyah (the intention) secretly. Next, a muslim washes their hands before using water. After that, they wash their private parts, removing any impurities. Next, a muslim makes their usual ablution, delaying washing the feet. At this stage, they wash their heads three times, rubbing it very well. Finally, they submerge their whole body with water once. They should be keen on starting with the right side all the time. A male muslim ’must rub his beard wells with water as well. water must reach areas like armpits also. Eventually, a muslim should move from his washing place to wash their feet.
The health benefits of Ghusl:
Ghusl has a lot of health benefits. it has spiritual favors. Ritual Ghusl is very useful for a muslim in this worldly life and in the hereafter. Ghusl is a way of worshiping allah. Washing is a way to express obedience to allah also. It facilitates other ways of worship like prayer, reading the Holy Quran, Itikaf in the mosque. and circulation around al-kaaba, etc. Al Ightisal achieves a muslim’s personal cleanliness; it removes dirts and impurities. a muslim’s body has a pleasant smell after ghusl. a muslim is more healthy through ghusl. people are not offended because of a muslim’s b o. When a muslim washes their body a lot, they are active, pert and strong. a muslim is never lazy or suffering from sloth thanks to ghusl.