We want to take a second and look at the statement of Allah concerning the command of making a ghusl (purifying) when in a state of Janabah (sexual impurity).
{وَإِنْ كُنْتُمْ جُنُبًا فَاطَّهَّرُوا}
[المائدة: 6]
{And if you are in a state of janabah, then purify yourselves.}
[Ma’idah (5):6]
In the above ayah (verse) we see that Allah has commanded the Muslim to perform what is called the “Ghusl” (purification from the major impurities) when in a state of janabah. The issue here is that to many people it, still until this day, remains unclear as to exactly how to perform this ghusl. As well, many are not clear as to what they have to do in order for their ghusl to be acceptable with Allah, and what is done that will add extra reward when added on to that which we just mentioned. This is what we want to discuss in this article. Even though you may not see it as an important topic right now, by the time you finish reading it, you will see it is a must that we both know this information as well as spread it to those we know and love.
The first issue that we want to mention here, is the issue of those obligatory factors of the ghusl. These are those things that if you do not perform them, your ghusl is not acceptable, and needs to be performed again in the correct manner. These obligatory acts are three in number. They are:
- The making of the Niyyah (intention)
- The removal of the Najaasah (impurities) from the body
- The reaching of the water to the whole body, all of the skin and hair.
Now that we have talked about those issues that you are obligated to have as part of your ghusl, we want to discuss those things that if you do them correctly, they will add to the completion of your ghusl as well as it’s reward. These things are five in number. They are:
- At Tasmiyyah (the mentioning of Allah’s name)
- Making a correct wudu before the making of the ghusl
- Wiping the hand over the body
- That the actions are done consecutively without leaving large gaps of space between them
- Doing your right side before your left side
The reason why these things are important for each and every one of us as Muslims to know, is that so many of our different types of worship and their acceptability are tied to us performing the ghusl correctly. Unfortunately, when we ask most people how the ghusl is performed, we find ourselves hard pressed to come across someone that will not sit us down and explain to us what they have heard before. The issue here is that when we ask them where they learned the performance of the ghusl, they can not tell us. When we ask them was it in a class or from a book, and many times we find that they just got it passed down from person to person, without ever being checked by someone that has studied the issue formally.
Once the information that we have is checked by someone qualified to determine if it is correct or not, we find that there are many times that things need to be changed. We find that people add things, and even take away necessary acts which invalidate the ghusl from the beginning. This most often happens when people are not aware of what is necessary and what is said to be from the sunnan (non obligatory) acts of the ghusl. Therefore, this is information that we all need to know and help to disseminate to every that we can, in order to aide our brothers and sisters in not negating the efforts they are putting forth, buy simply not performing the ghusl in an acceptable manner. As well we want not to forget all of the reward for calling one another to the good. Look at the statement of the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) about this issue when he said:
“Whoever calls people to right guidance will have a reward like that of those who follow him, without it detracting from their reward in the slightest.”
(Reported by Imam Muslim)
May Allah accept from us our worship, forgive us for our sins and shortcomings, and write us from those that are from the callers to good and clear guidance. Allahuma ameen.
