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Performing ghusl with one’s spouse

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Question: Is it true that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) performed ghusl with his wives? If so, how could that be done?

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

Aisha (Allah be well pleased with her) said, ‘Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) and I used to perform ghusl from the same container. He would sometimes get to it before me, so I would tell him, ‘Leave me some! Leave me some!’ (Bukhari and Muslim)

It adds ‘we would take turns scooping water’ and in others ‘and our hands would meet in some narrations. (Fath al Bari, Ibn Hajar Al Asqalani)

So performing ghusl with one’s spouse is perfectly fine and valid. The rituals of ghusl are the same as any normal ghusl.

Making ghusl with one’s spouse can be useful because it allows one to make sure that one’s back is wiped (dalk) by hands and not merely by a back scrub as is a condition according to some Malikis. (Al Sharh Al Kabir, Dardir)

I pray this helps.

[Ustadh] Farid

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Farid Dingle has completed extensive years of study in the sciences of the Arabic language and the various Islamic Sciences. During his studies, he also earned a CIFE Certificate in Islamic Finance. Over the years, he has developed a masterful ability to craft lessons that help non-Arabic speakers gain a deep understanding of the language. He currently teaches courses in the Arabic Language.

What is the ruling of the intention in the ritual bath (ghusl)? When should one make the intention? Can one remove unwanted hair during the ghusl?

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Question Summary

What is the ruling of the intention in the ritual bath (ghusl)? When should one make the intention? For example, can one remove unwanted hair during the ghusl?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

Intention in Ghusl

The intention in the ritual bath (ghusl) is an emphasized Sunna; even though the ghusl is valid without an intention, intending the ghusl is a prerequisite for reward – not for validity. [Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah]

The Place of the Intention

The place of the intention is in the heart and not necessary to say aloud. [Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah]

However, if saying the intention aloud helps one focus their heart on the intention, it is allowed. [Tahtawi,Shurunbulali; Hashiyat Maraqi al-Falah]

In this case, one should make the intention before entering the washroom and/or uncovering.

Grooming During Ghusl

It is permissible to groom one’s self during the ghusl.

Hope this helps
Allah knows best
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he then completed four years at the Darul Uloom seminary in New York, where he studied Arabic and the traditional sciences. He then traveled to Tarim, Yemen, where he stayed for three years studying in Dar Al-Mustafa under some of the greatest scholars of our time, including Habib Umar Bin Hafiz, Habib Kadhim al-Saqqaf, and Shaykh Umar al-Khatib. In Tarim, Shaykh Yusuf completed the memorization of the Qur’an and studied beliefs, legal methodology, hadith methodology, Qur’anic exegesis, Islamic history, and several texts on spirituality. He joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.

Is intending an obligation for the ritual bath (ghusl)?

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Question Summary

Is intending an obligation for the ritual bath (ghusl)?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

Intending the performance of ghusl is an emphasized sunna. If one performs the ghusl without an intention, then ghusl is valid, though one will not gain reward for it.  [Tahtawi,Shurunbulali; Hashiyat Maraqi al-Falah]

Note that the place of intention is the heart. It is unnecessary to pronounce one’s intention by tongue or to tell oneself in one’s mind. [Tahtawi,Shurunbulali; Hashiyat Maraqi al-Falah]

Hope this helps
Allah knows best
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he then completed four years at the Darul Uloom seminary in New York, where he studied Arabic and the traditional sciences. He then traveled to Tarim, Yemen, where he stayed for three years studying in Dar Al-Mustafa under some of the greatest scholars of our time, including Habib Umar Bin Hafiz, Habib Kadhim al-Saqqaf, and Shaykh Umar al-Khatib. In Tarim, Shaykh Yusuf completed the memorization of the Qur’an and studied beliefs, legal methodology, hadith methodology, Qur’anic exegesis, Islamic history, and several texts on spirituality. He joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.

Should I repeat my prayers from previous years because of incorrect performance of the ghusl?

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Question Summary

Should I repeat my prayers from previous years because of the incorrect performance of the ghusl?

Question Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

The rulings of ghusl are not so complicated that one would conceivably perform it incorrectly and invalidly. Due to this, consider your previous ghusls valid and therefore your prayers as well.

The nature of water is that it reaches even hard to reach places, and a normal modern method shower would certainly achieve the minimum requirement of the ghusl. [Tahtawi/Shurunbulali, Hashiyat Maraqi al-Falah]

I would advise you to take the level one Islamic Seminary Courses offered here at www.seekersguidance.org/courses – this will greatly help you remove any confusion and ambiguity in the Religion and afford you a balanced understanding that will facilitate practice.

Hope this helps
Allah knows best
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch

 

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he then completed four years at the Darul Uloom seminary in New York, where he studied Arabic and the traditional sciences. He then traveled to Tarim, Yemen, where he stayed for three years studying in Dar Al-Mustafa under some of the greatest scholars of our time, including Habib Umar Bin Hafiz, Habib Kadhim al-Saqqaf, and Shaykh Umar al-Khatib. In Tarim, Shaykh Yusuf completed the memorization of the Qur’an and studied beliefs, legal methodology, hadith methodology, Quranic exegesis, Islamic history, and some texts on spirituality. He joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.

What Should I Do if I Always See Clear Discharge After Taking an Obligatory Ritual Bath?

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Question: After having an obligatory bath for janaba (intercourse) and thoroughly cleaning myself, I always, at some point after a few hours, get a clear discharge with no smell. Sometimes it can appear a few times during the day. Is this classed as sexual fluid, and would I need to have a ghusl again?

Answer: 

Assalamu alaykum,
Thank you for your question. Your answer is in the following excerpt:

“e10.3: When a woman who has been made love to performs the purificatory bath, and the male’s sperm afterward leaves her vagina, then she must repeat the ghusl if two conditions exist:
(a) that she is not a child, but rather old enough to have sexual gratification (A: as it might otherwise be solely her husband’s sperm);
(b) and that she was fulfilling her sexual urge with the lovemaking, not sleeping or forced.“ [The Reliance of the Traveller]

In summary, if the woman had experienced an orgasm, then she should repeat her ritual bath after the exiting of discharge. But if she had not, it would only be her husband’s sperm, and she does not need to repeat her ritual bath.

May Allah give you the best of this world and the next.
[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria, for two years, where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, Tafseer, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Master’s in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan, where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She recently moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.

Should I renew my ritual bath after removing scabs

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Question:  Assalamu alaikum!Yesterday, I did ghusl and prayed around as soon as possible, but I noticed a very minute wound (dried, hardened blood clot) on my face the following day in the morning. I thought it might have prevented the water from reaching my skin, removed it, and washed underneath. But I didn’t repeat my ghusl. Was my ghusl still valid even though I noticed that wound the day after? Or should I have repeated my ghusl?

Answer: In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,

Assalam’aleykum, I pray this finds you in the best of states.

Jazakum Allah khayr for your question!

No, you don’t have to renew the washing of the skin places from which you have removed scabs. [ Ibn Abidin; Radd al-Muhtar]

This is because when an obligatory action has been performed in the past (in your case, the ritual bath), this duty is not incumbent on you anymore and thus cannot come back. [ Tahtawi; Hashiya on Maraqi al-Falah]

And Allah knows best.

May  Allah Most High grant you the best of this world and the next. Please keep us in your du’as!

Wassalam

[Ustadh] Sufyan Qufi

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Is it Permitted To Wash the Body Only Once in the Ritual Bath? 

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Question:
Is it permitted to wash the body only once in the ritual bath?
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate,
Assalamu  ‘alaykum dear brother or sister in faith,
What is required in the ritual bath (ghusl) is to wash the entire body as well as the mouth and nose, along with orifices that are easily accessed (i.e. the outer genitalia, ear piercing, and inner navel) This is required only once, but it is sunnah to wash thrice. [Shurunbulali, Nur al-Idah]
In wudu,’ however, washing of the mouth and nose is an emphasized sunna, and washing thrice is another sunna.
Please note, that while washing the required limbs in ghusl once is valid, it should not be made habitual.  Omitting emphasized sunnas without excuse is blameworthy, and consistent omission without excuse may be sinful. This is true for both wudu’ and ghusl.
Allah, Most High, knows best.
[Ustadha] Iman Badawi
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Does a Wet Dream Necessitate the Ritual Bath for a Woman? 

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Question:
Does a wet dream necessitate the ritual bath for a woman?
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate,
Assalamu ‘alaykum dear sister in faith,
What you have described was experienced by the best of women, the female companions of the Prophet (Blessings and peace be upon them), and they asked the very same question.
So long as you do not see signs of sexual emission (mani) on your clothes, the ritual bath is not necessitated. Release of pre-sexual emission (madhi) would also not make the ritual bath obligatory. The same rulings that apply to men in this regard also apply to women. [Shurunbulali, Nur al-Idah 86,87]
Umm Salama, the mother of the believers, narrated that Umm Sulaym, the wife of Abu Talha, (Allah be pleased with them) came to the Prophet (Blessings and peace be upon them) and said, “O Allah’s Messenger,  Verily Allah is not shy of speaking the truth. Is it necessary for a woman to take a ritual bath after having a wet dream?”  The Prophet (Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him and his folk) replied, “Yes, if she notices an emission.” [Bukhari, Book of Ritual Bathing]
Sleep well. One who fears Allah in this world will be free of fear in the next.
Allah, Most High, knows best.
 [Ustadha] Iman
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Was My Ghusl Valid When I Used a Cup for Pouring the Water?

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Question:

Do I have to redo my ghusl if I used a cup to pour water?

Answer:

Assalamu alaykum,

Thank you for your question. The situation that you describe is perfectly sufficient for a valid ghusl. Pouring from a cup ensures that you do not waste water, and that is one of the sunnas of the ghusl which is difficult to follow these days. You should use also rub the water all over, as this is sunnah and serves to spread the water to every area.

The two integrals of the ritual bath in the Shafi’i school are a) the intention) and b) that water reaches all of the skin, hair, and nails. Please consider taking a course on personally obligatory fiqh of worship.

Take every measure to ignore baseless misgivings (waswasa). Allah wants your worship to be easy and not cumbersome. Once you take a course on the subject, the Devil will not have his way with you, and you will have the confidence that you need to proceed with ease. May Allah reward you for your sincerity and give you the best in this world and the next.

[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad

 

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria for two years where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, tafseer, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Masters in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She recently moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.

What Parts Of a Woman’s Body Need To Be Washed During Ghusl?

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Question:  I had taken a course on menses. It came up that it is good for a woman, in the ghusl, to pull back the clitoris to wash that area.

1) For years I did not know this, the right thing would be to assume my past Ghusls were valid, yes?
2) I was taught to clean the area for smegma, but if dead white skin ever remains in the clitoris, my ghusl is still valid yes?
3) When I learned and the first time I cleaned the clitoris for dead skin it was a little stuck together, should I worry about my past Ghusls?

Answer: In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,

Assalam’aleykum, I pray this finds you in the best of states.

Jazakum Allah khayr for your question!

1-Only the external part of the vagina needs to be washed because it is akin to the mouth. As for the internal part of the vagina, it does not need to be washed because it is akin to the throat. In addition to this, a woman should not and does not need to put her fingers in her vagina to perform a valid ritual bath. [Ibn Abidin; Radd Al-Muhtar]

The external part of the vagina is defined as what can be seen from it when a woman is standing or sitting. As for the internal part, it can only be seen when a woman is reclining on something. [Ibn Abidin; Radd Al-Muhtar]

2-Dead skin, like any other type of dirt on the body or under the nails, does not prevent the validity of your washing because the origin of the dead skin is from the body. [Tahtawi; Maraqi Al-Falah’s gloss] This would include smegma. Thus you do not have to worry about past ghusls during which you did not fully remove this substance.

And Allah knows best.

I hope that the above answers your question. If something is unclear please do not hesitate to ask again.

May Allah Most High grant you the best of this world and the next. Please keep us in your du’as!

Wassalam

[Ustadh] Sufyan Qufi

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani