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Fatwa CenterWhen Ghusl is obligatory
Question
Is the ritual bath different from the normal shower? Must it be done before the Friday prayer? And how can I do it?
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 is of two kinds: Complete Ghusl and Sufficient Ghusl.
The Complete Ghusl: the person should have the intention (for Ghusl) and say Bismillaah and then he washes his hands three times, and washes the [private parts and removes any filth on his body], then he performs ablution like the one made for the prayer, then he rubs water through his head three times letting the water reach the roots of his hair, then he pours water over the entire body three times, beginning with the right side of the body and then the left part, and he rubbing his body with his hands while making sure that the water reaches all his body and hair. The evidence for this is that ‘Aa’ishah 
narrated that when the Prophet 
would perform Ghusl after sexual intercourse, he would start by washing his hands, then he would pour water with his right hand into his left hand and wash his private parts, then he would perform ablution in the same manner that he would perform ablution for the prayer, and then he would take some water and put his fingers to the roots of his hair until he beleives that the skin is wet, then he would take a scoop of water with both hands and pour it over his head, and he would do this three times, and then pour water over the rest of his body and finally he would wash his feet.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Another narration reads: ‘‘He used to rub his head with his hands until he was certain the water reached his skin, then he poured water over it [hair] three times.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
The second evidence is that Maymoonah narrated: ‘‘I put water out for the Prophet so that he would perform Ghusl. So, he poured water on his hands and washed them two times or three times, then he poured water from his right hand into his left hand and washed his private parts, then he wiped his hands on the earth, then he rinsed his mouth and nose, then he washed his face and hands, then he washed his head three times and then he poured water over his body, and then he moved from his place and washed his feet.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
The Sufficient Ghusl: It is to remove the impurity from one’s body, then one intends (Ghusl) and says ‘Bismillaah’ and then washes his entire body including his mouth and nose, and his hair (from root to tip).
Ghusl is either obligatory or desirable:
There are six acts which make Ghusl obligatory:
1- Discharge of Maniyy (sperm) due to sexual desire when a person is awake, or if the person is asleep, then this is known as having a wet dream [and it is not a condition to have a sexual desire].
2- When the glans of the penis enters the vagina, this is known by touching the two circumcised parts. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: "When any one sits between the four parts of her (his wife’s) body and exerts her (has intercourse with her), then performing Ghusl becomes obligatory (for both),” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] and there is an addition in some other narrations ‘‘even if he had no ejaculation’’ [Ahmad and Muslim] .
3- When a non-Muslim embraces Islam.
4- After monthly menstruation stops.
5- After post-partum bleeding stops.
6- Death: (when a Muslim dies) with the exception of the martyr and the one who was killed unjustly. Both do not need to be washed.
The desirable Ghusls are so many, among which are the following;
1- Friday Ghusl. Some Scholars 
are even of the view that it is an obligatory bath. In any case, it is better to keep performing it.
2- Making Ghusl before entering in the state of Ihraam for Hajj or ‘Umrah.
3- Performing Ghusl before 'Eed prayers.
4- Making Ghusl after having washed a dead Muslim.
There are other kinds of Ghusl.
Allaah Knows best.
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