How (and When) to Perform Ghusl

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Learn how to perform a full or quick ghusl

Co-authored by Mufti Samir Wahid and Amy Bobinger, BA

Last Updated: February 26, 2026 Fact Checked

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Complete Ghusl

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Quick Ghusl

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When to Perform Ghusl

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Where to Perform Ghusl

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Muslim adults perform an ablution called ghusl prior to rituals and prayers. This full-body ritual is required for men and women to be considered pure in body after certain acts. In the ghusl ritual, the entire body must be washed and rubbed clean in order to remove impurities from the body. We’ll explain how to do a complete ghusl (the preferred form) and a quick ghusl (which is considered acceptable), with tips from Islam expert Mufti Samir Wahid

How to Perform Ghusl

Islam expert Mufti Samir Wahid says that to perform ghusl, you must wet your entire body, including your hair, mouth, and nose. Here are the steps to do a complete ghusl:

Form your intention that you are cleansing yourself for Allah.
Say “Bismillah” out loud or in your heart to invoke the name of Allah.
Wash your hands up to your wrists 3 times.
Wash your private parts.
Perform wudu (wash your mouth, nose, face, and hands up to your arms).
Pour water over your head 3 times, ensuring your scalp gets completely wet.
Wash the left side of your body, then the right, including your feet if you haven’t washed them yet.

Section 1 of 4:

Performing a Complete and Preferred Ghusl

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Form the intention to purify yourself in your heart. This can be done by simply thinking to yourself that you’re performing this ritual for the pleasure of Allah. This does not need to be stated out loud; just thinking it to yourself is fine.^{[1]
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- There is no set way to do this “properly.” Just keep your religious intentions in mind in order to satisfy this requirement.
Meet the wikiHow Expert

Mufti Samir Wahid is an Islam expert and Imam based in Atlanta, Georgia. He’s also the CEO of the Islamic Institute of Atlanta, Najam Institute, Darul Arqam Institute, and Al Furqan Academy.
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Say “bismillah” out loud to invoke the name of Allah. This is a verbal cue that you’re performing ghusl for the pleasure of Allah. This is also a reminder to yourself that this is an important religious ritual and not just a bath.^{[2]
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- You can also say the longer phrase, Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Raheem, if you wish. This means "In the name of Allah, the most gracious, the most merciful."
- Because you’re not supposed to say Bismillah in a bathroom, it’s okay to say it in your heart, instead.^{[3]
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Wash your hands up to your wrists 3 times. Wash your right hand thoroughly, making sure to wash and rub in between each of the fingers. Do this 3 times, then wash your left hand 3 times in the same fashion.^{[4]
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- Just like with regular ablution, you should remove nail polish before performing this ritual. You must also remove anything that may prevent water from washing the skin, such as jewelry or dirt.
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Wash your private parts 3 times. Wash this area three times to ensure it’s thoroughly clean. Be sure to remove all traces of semen, menstrual blood, or vaginal discharge. If these fluids are on any other parts of your body, such as your hands, wash these as well.^{[5]
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- Use soap if you have it available.^{[6]
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Perform wudu like you would for prayer. To perform wudu, Wahid says, “Rinse your mouth three times, rinse your nose three times, and wash your face three times from your forehead to your chin. Then you’ll wash your hands up to your elbows three times.”^{[7]
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Mufti Samir Wahid
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- To rinse your mouth, cup water in your right hand, then pour the water into your mouth. Swish, spit, and repeat 3 times.^{[8]
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- To rinse your nose, cup water in your right hand again. Sniff a little into your nose, then blow it back out with your left hand. Do this 3 times, as well.
- If you have a beard, take a handful of water below your chin and rub it through your beard to wash the skin beneath it.
- Although you normally wash your feet during wudu, it’s okay to leave it until the end of ghusl.^{[9]
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Be sure to wash your head deeply enough that the water reaches all the way down to the skin on your scalp. If you have a beard or other facial hair, wash underneath this area as well. Do not leave any dry areas on your head.^{[10]
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Douse your head completely, using your fingers to make sure water gets down to the roots and covers your scalp. If you have long, braided hair, you do not have to undo your braids unless the braids prevent the water from reaching your scalp. Make sure all of the skin on your head gets wet.^{[11]
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Wash the entire right side of your body, then the left. Use your left hand to rub the water all over the right side of your body, taking care not to leave any area unwashed. Make sure you include your back, armpits, behind the knees, and inside the belly button. Then, repeat this process on the left side of your body using your right hand.^{[12]
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- If you have any piercings, be sure the water gets underneath them.
- If you didn’t wash your feet during wudu, wash them now.
- “We get extra reward for doing ghusl in this order, right side first, then the left side,” says Wahid. “Our Prophet Muhammad, Peace Be Upon Him, said every good thing, do with your right hand; every dirty thing, do with your left hand. When you clean yourself, use your left hand.”^{[13]
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You’re not obligated to dry off after finishing the ghusl. However, if you do choose to dry your body with a towel, make sure the towel is completely clean. Otherwise, you’ll have to restart the whole process!^{[14]
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Section 2 of 4:

Performing An Acceptable (Quick) Ghusl

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If you’re in a hurry, you can still perform an acceptable ghusl. Just make sure you approach it the same way as a full ghusl—set your intention in your heart that you are cleansing your body and spirit to please Allah.
Get into the shower or bath, then wash your whole body from the top of your head down to your feet. Use your hands to rub the water onto every part of your skin, including your scalp, between your fingers and toes, and into areas that can be hard for water to reach, like your armpits or the back of your knees.^{[15]
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EXPERT TIP

Mufti Samir Wahid
Islam Expert
Mufti Samir Wahid is an Islam expert and Imam based in Atlanta, Georgia. Around the age of 14, Mufti Samir memorized the entire Quran. He then enrolled in an 8-year course to earn a degree in Islamic Studies, graduating from the Alim Course in 2012 from Darul Uloom Canada. He then went on to study Iftaa at Darul Uloom Canada. In 2014, he returned to Atlanta after school and founded the Najam Institute, which has served as a school and resource to the community for over 10 years. Mufti Samir is currently the CEO of the Islamic Institute of Atlanta, Najam Institute, Darul Arqam Institute, and Al Furqan Academy.

Mufti Samir Wahid
Islam Expert

To do a proper ghusl, the entire body must be washed. Every hair needs to get wet, and you have to rinse your mouth and nose. Then, you can pray your prayers and you can recite Quran.

Section 3 of 4:

When should I perform ghusl?

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When it’s required to perform ghusl “There are times when it becomes obligatory on a person that they have to take a ghusl—or a bath or shower—in order to perform salah or any prayers, or to recite Quran,” says Wahid. “That occurs when there’s a state of major impurity, like due to having intercourse or at the end of menstruation.”^{[16]
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Mufti Samir Wahid
Islam Expert

Expert Interview} The required times to perform ghusl include:
- After sexual intercourse or wet dreams with emission
- After the end of menstrual bleeding^{[17]
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- When postpartum discharge ends (or 40 days after giving birth, whichever occurs first)
- After touching a dead body (in some denominations)
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When ghusl is recommended but not required There are some situations where ghusl is not strictly required, but is generally recommended. Some situations where ghusl is recommended include:
- When a non-Muslim has converted to Islam
- Before commencing Friday prayers
- Before commencing Eid prayers
- After washing a corpse
- Before undertaking a pilgrimage to Mecca^{[18]
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Ghusl for a Muslim who has died a natural death Wash any Muslim who has died by natural causes as soon as possible. This can be done as part of the funeral rituals for the deceased and should be performed as soon as possible after death. Typically, adult members of the deceased’s family will perform the required ghusl.^{[19]
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- Note that there is an exception for those who die in battle, who should not be washed in a ghusl ritual.

Section 4 of 4:

Where should I perform ghusl?

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Go to a private area to perform the ritual, if you can. It’s considered sinful in Islam to expose the lower half of your body to other people. The easiest way to avoid this is to simply perform the ritual in your private bathroom with the door closed and locked.^{[20]
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- The exception to this rule is that you’re allowed to expose yourself to your spouse.
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Find a source of clean water you can use. In addition to an ordinary shower or bath, this source can also include rain, well, spring, sea, river, snowmelt, or pond water. However, avoid using impure water or water that has already been used for something else.^{[21]
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- Note that discolored water or water that may contain bodily fluids from animals or humans cannot be used for the ghusl ritual.
- Make sure to use safe water to perform this ritual, especially if you’re in an area where the sanitation of the local water supply is in question.
- Use clean earth and rub it over your face and hands if you are traveling and can’t find a source of clean water. This is known as tayammum. Afterwards, perform ghusl with water as soon as you find a water source.

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How (and When) to Perform Ghusl

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Question

I found out that I have been performing Ghusl incorrectly. What should i do?

Community Answer

Just follow the correct procedure from now on. God doesn't hold something against you if you didn't know that it was wrong.

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It is permitted to use soap when performing Ghusl?

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Yes. But it would be best to take a normal shower with soap first, then do the Ghusl.

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As long as the entire body was washed three times in this order, do I have to do the ghusl three times?

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You don't repeat the total ghusl three times; you wash each individual part as mentioned above three times. So when doing each step, it is done three times.

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