In Islam, the significance of cleanliness is paramount, as Allah is ‘Pure’ and favors purity. This is evident in the Holy Qur’an where Allah Almighty commands believers to maintain purity, as highlighted in the verse “وَ اِنْ كُنْتُمْ جُنُبًا فَاطَّهَّرُوْا,” translated in Kanz-ul-Iman as: “And if you are in a state of Janabah, then purify yourselves.” (Parah 6, Surah Maidah, Ayat 6) This brings us to understand how to perform Ghusal Hanafi, especially following the Hanafi jurisprudence.

Identifying the Occasions for Ghusal: Hanafi Perspective:

  • Seminal discharge with lustful intent.
  • Experiencing a wet dream.
  • Insertion of the male genital tip (Hashfa) into the female genital, ejaculation notwithstanding.
  • Concluding a menstrual period.
  • End of post-childbirth bleeding. (Cited from Bahar-e-Shariat)

In the current era, a noticeable gap in the knowledge of performing Ghusl as per Sharia law exists. Hence, it is crucial to learn the correct procedure for performing Ghusal, specifically the Hanafi method.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Perform Ghusal Hanafi:

Begin by intending in your heart (without verbalizing) that your Ghusl is for the sake of purification. Commence by washing both hands up to the wrists thrice. Cleanse the private areas, irrespective of the presence of impurities. Remove impurities from any other body parts if necessary. Conduct Wudu as for Salah but omit washing the feet at this stage, unless you are positioned on a raised surface like a stool. Apply water over the entire body akin to oil, particularly in colder conditions (using soap is permissible). Sequentially, drench your right shoulder thrice with water, followed by the left shoulder, then the head, and finally the entire body, each three times. Step away from the Ghusl area. If feet weren’t washed during Wudu, do it now. Avoid facing the Qiblah during Ghusl, and ensure to rub over your body. Choose a secluded place for Ghusl, avoiding conversation and prayer recitation. Post-Ghusl, drying with a towel is acceptable. If it is a non-disliked time, performing two Rakats of Nafl is advisable. (Adapted from Alamgiri, based on Bahar-e-Shariat)

Three Mandatory Acts in Ghusl:

  1. Thoroughly rinsing the mouth.
  2. Inhaling water into the nose.
  3. Ensuring water covers the entire visible body. (Sourced from Fatawa Alamgiri)

Detailed Process of Ghusal Hanafi:

How to Perform Ghusal

  • Mouth Rinsing: Merely swishing water in the mouth is insufficient. Water must reach every mouth corner, including behind molars, cheek folds, tooth crevices, roots, and tongue surfaces to the throat edge. Gargling is Sunnah when not fasting. Removing any food particles or fibers stuck in teeth is mandatory, except if it causes harm. If unnoticed during Ghusl but discovered later, removing them and allowing water to reach the spot is obligatory. The earlier prayer remains valid. Loosely attached teeth secured by fillings or wire, where water can’t reach underneath, are exempted. (Referenced from Bahar-e-Shariat Vol 1, Page 613 and Fatawa Razawiyya Mukharrjah Vol 1, Page 439-440)
  • Nasal Cleansing: Superficially wetting the nose tip is inadequate. It’s essential to wash up to the soft part of the nose. Sniff water upwards, ensuring complete coverage. Remove any hardened mucus. Nose hair washing is also obligatory. (Cited from Fatawa Razawiyya, Bahar-e-Shariat)
  • Body Washing: Every part, from head hair to foot soles, must be drenched without leaving any dry spots. Pay extra attention to body parts that might remain dry inadvertently. (Sourced from Bahar-e-Shariat)

Performing Ghusl in Flowing Water:

Bathing in flowing water, like rivers or canals, for a short duration, fulfills the Sunnah of thrice washing, sequence, and Wudu-like actions without needing limb movement. In stagnant water, like ponds, thrice moving limbs or changing position achieves Tathleeth (thrice washing). Standing in rain or under a tap/fountain equates to being in flowing water. In both cases, mouth rinsing and nasal cleansing are mandatory. (Referenced from Bahar-e-Shariat Vol 1, Page 320)

Essential Guidelines for Ghusl:

  • Bathing naked in public is prohibited. (Sourced from Fatawa Razawiyya Mukharrjah Vol 3, Page 306) When bathing in the rain, cover yourself with an opaque, thick cloth over your clothing to prevent the outline of the body from showing if the clothes stick due to wetness.
  • In showers, ensure your orientation doesn’t face the Qibla Sharif, applicable in restrooms as well.
May Allah Almighty empower us to adhere to these guidelines and achieve purity in accordance with Sharia. Ameen.

Conclusion:

In summary, understanding how to perform Ghusal, particularly the Hanafi method, is crucial for adhering to Islamic principles of purity. This comprehensive guide on ‘how to perform Ghusal‘ and ‘how to perform Ghusal Hanafi‘ serves as an essential resource for Muslims seeking to fulfill this religious obligation correctly. By following these detailed steps and adhering to the Sunnah, believers can ensure they perform Ghusl in a manner pleasing to Allah, thus maintaining spiritual cleanliness and purity as mandated in Islam.

FAQs:

Q: What are the key steps in performing Ghusal Hanafi?

A: In the Hanafi method, one should start with the niyyah (intention), wash hands and private parts, perform Wudu (excluding feet), and then pour water over the entire body thrice, ensuring no part remains dry.

Q: Is it necessary to perform Wudu during Ghusal?

A: Yes, performing Wudu is a part of Ghusal. However, in the Hanafi method, feet are washed at the end if not already done during the initial stages of Wudu.

Q: What are the obligatory acts (Fard) in Ghusal according to Hanafi jurisprudence?

A: The obligatory acts include rinsing the mouth, inhaling water into the nose, and ensuring water covers the entire body, including the hair.

Q: How should one perform Ghusal if in a state of Janabah?

A: When in a state of Janabah, it’s important to follow the steps of Ghusal Hanafi, starting with the intention, followed by washing the private parts, performing Wudu, and then thoroughly washing the entire body.

Q: Is facing the Qibla necessary while performing Ghusal?

A: No, facing the Qibla is not necessary during Ghusal. In fact, it is advisable to avoid facing the Qibla while performing Ghusal according to Hanafi guidelines.

Source:
Dawat e Islami