Purification after sex (How to perform Ghusl from Janaba)

7-6-2001 | IslamWeb

Question:

What is the right way for tahara after Janabah. Do I have to wash my hair or just touch my hair with water just like Wudu.

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds.  I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

Ghusl Al-Janaabah (major ceremonial washing of the whole body after sexual intercourse) can be performed in two ways:

The first way is sufficient but not the better way. Here, the person has to pour water over his/her whole body including the roots of the hair and what is between the fingers and the like with the intention of purification from Janaabah (post sexual-intercourse impurity).

The second way is preferable as it fits what the Prophet Muhammad used to do as narrated by 'Aa'ishah and Maymoonah and is found in Al-Bukhari and Muslims collections of Hadeeth. This Ghusl is as follows: First, the person washes his/her private parts and then makes Wudhoo' (ritual ablution) as is usually done before prayers; then he pours water on his/her head three times such that the water gets to the roots of the hair. After that, the person pours the water over his/her whole body and finally washes his/her feet.

Rubbing the hair is not sufficient in both ways, as the water has to reach the scalp.

Allaah Knows best.