Step by step

What to do when ghusl becomes necessary

When a full bath becomes obligatory, and the minimum that makes it valid.

1
Know when it is needed
Ghusl becomes fard after intercourse (even without discharge), after semen leaves the body with desire (including a wet dream), and when a period or postnatal bleeding ends.
2
What waits until ghusl
Until you take a ghusl you do not pray, recite or touch the Qur'an, do tawaf or stay in the masjid. You can eat, sleep and make dhikr.
3
The three fard parts
A ghusl is only valid if you rinse the mouth thoroughly, rinse the nose up to the soft bone, and wash the whole body so that no spot, even under a ring or the hair roots, stays dry.
4
The Sunnah way
Wash both hands, wash the private parts, remove any impurity, make wudu, then pour water over the head three times, the right side three times and the left side three times.
5
Do not delay salah
You may delay ghusl for a while, but not so long that a prayer's time runs out.

Questions

Common questions

I had a wet dream but saw nothing. Is ghusl needed?

If you find no wetness, ghusl is not needed. If you find wetness, ghusl is needed even if you do not remember the dream.

Do women have to undo their braids?

No. If water reaches the roots of the hair, braids do not have to be undone.

Does nail polish stop ghusl?

Yes. Anything that stops water reaching the nails or skin must be removed first, or the ghusl is not valid.

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