Ghusl — The Full Ritual Bath

The five causes that make ghusl obligatory:

1. Inzāl al-maniy — ejaculation, whether from intercourse, dreams, or otherwise. 2. Jimāʿ — sexual intercourse, even without ejaculation, once penetration has occurred. 3. End of menstruation (*ḥayḍ*) — once the bleeding has stopped. 4. End of postnatal bleeding (*nifās*) — once the bleeding has stopped. 5. Death of a Muslim — the body is given a final ghusl before burial, by others.

The four obligations within the ghusl itself (Mālikī):

1. Niyya — intention of ghusl (to lift the state of major impurity). 2. Taʿmīm al-badan bi'l-māʾ — covering the entire body with water, every patch of skin. 3. Takhlīl al-shaʿr — running fingers through the hair so water reaches the scalp itself, not just the hair surface. 4. Dalk wa-fawr — rubbing the body, and doing the whole ghusl in continuous flow.

Complete step-by-step (including sunna acts):

1. Form the intention. Say *Bismillāh*. 2. Wash the hands 3 times. 3. Wash the private parts thoroughly to remove any traces. 4. Perform a complete wuḍūʾ as if for prayer (sunna, highly recommended). Some delay washing the feet to the end; either is valid. 5. Pour water over the head 3 times, running fingers through the scalp so water reaches every part of the head, including hair roots. 6. Pour water over the right side of the body, rubbing as you go. 7. Pour water over the left side, rubbing. 8. Check — under the arms, behind the ears, navel, between fingers and toes, the back, the area between the buttocks. No spot can be missed. 9. (If you didn't wash feet at step 4) Wash both feet.

Common practical questions:

- Long or thick hair (women): the dominant Mālikī position is that braids may remain as long as water reaches the scalp. Ghusl after intercourse: braids may stay; ghusl after menstruation: some scholars require undoing if water didn't reach the scalp otherwise. - Nail polish, heavy makeup, thick hair gel: anything that *blocks* water from touching the skin or nail must be removed. Ghusl with these in place is invalid. - After intimacy with your spouse: ghusl is required. If a fast begins the next day at Fajr, completing ghusl before Fajr is best, but the fast remains valid even if ghusl is delayed (al-Bukhārī 1925). - Wet dreams: if there's visible *maniy* upon waking, ghusl is required. If there's no trace despite memory of a dream, no ghusl is needed.