How Do You Do Ghusl After a Period?

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Understanding when, why, and how females perform ghusl
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In Islam, ghusl is a major ablution, or washing, that must be performed after certain circumstances, such as after your menstrual phase (period) ends. However, the exact steps to ghusl as dictated by the Quran and the Sunnah—the teachings and practices of Prophet Muhammad—can be confusing. That’s why we’ve put together this completely straightforward, step-by-step guide to exactly how to perform ghusl after your period, as well as after other events that require the ghusl .

Ghusl Steps: Basic Overview

  1. State an intention and Bismallah: e.g., “Let this make me pure, in the name of Allah.”
  2. Wash each hand three times with water
  3. Wash your private area three times with water.
  4. Rinse out your mouth and nose three times with water.
  5. Wash your face and each arm three times with water.
  6. Lightly wipe the top of your head, then pour water over it until it permeates your scalp.
  7. Wash the entire left and right sides of your body three times, then rinse your feet.
Section 1 of 7:

How to Perform Ghusl After a Period

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  1. In ghusl , the water must touch every part of your body. Take care to remove anything that touches your skin so that there is no barrier between you and the water. Wipe off any nail polish and remove any makeup so that the water can hit your nails and face. Remove all of your clothing and jewelry and step into the shower. [1]
    • It’s preferable to use clean, running water for ghusl . If you don’t live in an area where clean water is available, you may use other water.
  2. Every act of worship in Islam starts with the setting of an intention, or a “niyyah.” Your intention is meant to remind you that this ritual is being done in order to serve Allah. Make it clear in your heart and mind that your intention is to strengthen your connection to Allah. There’s no need to speak out loud—you can think something like: “Allow this ghusl to make me pure” or “I am performing ghusl to become pure.” [2]
    • Then, say Bismallah (“in the name of Allah”) in order to officially begin the ritual.
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  3. Start with your right hand, washing your palm, fingers, and wrist with water. Make sure to rub between your fingers and underneath your fingernails as well. Repeat this process twice on the right hand (for a total of three times), then do the same on your left hand to wash it three times. [3]
    • You don’t have to wash with soap for ghusl . You certainly can use soap and shampoo for the ritual, but only clean water is required.
  4. Using your left hand, gently cleanse your groin and vulva with lukewarm water and (optionally) a mild, unscented soap. Make sure to use only your hands to clean your vulva, and avoid any scented soaps, douches, or harsh scrubbing. As you wash, be sure to only clean from the front of the vulva toward the back (rather than the opposite direction) in order to avoid irritation and bacterial spread. [4]
    • Do not attempt to clean inside the vagina, as it naturally cleans itself.
  5. Now, you’ll complete the wudu ritual as part of your ghusl process. Begin by washing your hands again, same as you did before—thoroughly wash each hand (starting with the right) up to the wrist three times. Make sure that no parts of your hands are left dry. Then, wash the following body parts to complete the ablution ritual: [5]
    • Mouth & Nose: Use your right hand to scoop water into your mouth. Gargle and swirl the water in your mouth three times. Then, use your right hand to sniff water into your nose, then blow it out into your left hand. Repeat this nose-cleaning three times.
    • Face: Use water to wash your face from your hairline to your jawbone and from ear to ear.
    • Arms: Wash your right arm from the fingertips up to the elbows. Repeat this step three times. Then, do the same with your left arm.
    • Head: Use your dampened hands to lightly wipe over your head. Be sure to include your ears in this wash.
  6. Let the water run thoroughly over the top of your scalp so that the roots of your hair are completely soaked. It’s not enough to simply wet your hair. Make sure to move your hair around so that the water actually touches your scalp. [6]
    • If you have long hair, don’t worry about the full length of your hair being soaked—just make sure the scalp is completely covered in water.
    • If you wear your hair in braids, it is not necessary to undo them. You should still be able to rinse your scalp with the water.
  7. Pour water over your right shoulder and allow the water to flow over the entire right half of your body. Then, pour water over your left shoulder and allow it to flow over the entire left half of your body. Make sure that the water reaches every bit of your body—including under your arms and between your thighs. [7]
  8. Rinse your right foot with water, being sure that the water reaches your ankles and the areas between your toes. Repeat this process three times, then do the same cleansing routine for your left foot. [8]
    • You’ve now completed the ghusl ritual. When you're finished, step out of the shower and dry yourself with a clean towel.
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Section 2 of 7:

Best Practices for a Ghusl Ritual

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  1. Take your time throughout the ghusl ritual. Thoughtfully choose and focus on an intention. Wash your body in a logical order and thoroughly check that each part of your body—including the harder-to-reach nooks and crannies—has been washed thoroughly. Check commonly-missed places such as under and around piercings, in the belly button, and under the armpits. [9]
  2. Ghusl may feel strange or uncomfortable for newlyweds who live in joint households and may have to perform ghusl at odd hours. However, remember that you’re doing this ritual in fulfillment of Allah’s commands. [10] There’s nothing to feel ashamed or embarrassed about!
  3. Different madhabs may follow a slightly different set of steps in order to make the ghusl . Adjust the steps above for your specific practice, and be considerate of how other groups may perform the ritual in their own way.
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Section 3 of 7:

Mistakes to Avoid During Ghusl

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  1. For your ghusl to be complete, water must touch every part of your body. Be sure not to miss smaller areas like behind the ears, under the arms, or between the toes. If needed, use your hands and fingers to thoroughly cleanse each of these body parts. [11]
  2. For ghusl to be performed correctly, water must reach the roots of your hair and fully cover your scalp. It’s not enough to just wet or dampen the top of your hair—this reminder is especially important if you have longer or thicker hair that may be more difficult to permeate. [12]
  3. Ghusl is meant to purify or cleanse a person so that they’re prepared for prayer . Wudu is another cleansing ritual that’s essential to include within the ghusl process. Otherwise, your purification may not be valid for Salah. [13]
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Section 4 of 7:

What is ghusl?

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  1. Also known as a “full ablution,” ghusl is a part of the Islamic faith that’s required in order to purify and ready a person for worship or prayer. Ghusl is considered especially important for Muslim women, who use the practice to honor their modesty, renew themselves spiritually, and clarify their minds and bodies before acts of worship. It’s generally required after menstruation, childbirth, and sexual intercourse. [14]
    • The practice of ghusl comes from Islamic holy texts like the Quran and the Sunnah . In these texts, Allah (the Muslim God) forbids followers from performing acts of worship like prayer or fasting when in a state of impurity, which is why ghusl is necessary.
    • Purity is an important concept in Islam that’s thought to shape a Muslim’s spiritual and physical wellbeing.
      • But how is ghusl* different from wudu ?** Both wudu and ghusl are acts of purification and cleansing. Wudu is a partial cleansing, however, while ghusl is a full cleansing. Ghusl washes the whole body and is only done in specific situations, while wudu is performed before every prayer and focuses on specific body parts. [15]
Section 5 of 7:

When is ghusl required for women?

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  1. Women are required to perform ghusl after any event that’s considered “impure” according to the Islamic faith. After one of these events, they must perform ghusl in order to cleanse their mind, body, and spirit before engaging in worship or prayer. Most commonly, anyone who menstruates must perform ghusl after the end of their cycle and people of all genders must perform ghusl after intercourse. Ghusl must also be performed once the bleeding after childbirth ceases, as well as after nocturnal emissions (or wet dreams). [16]
    • G husl after a wet dream is only required if there’s visible fluid released outside the body. However, it’s important to note that most people with vulvas emit discharge regularly, so fluid is not always indicative of a nocturnal emission. [17]
    • Other recommended (but not obligatory) times to perform ghusl include after:
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Section 6 of 7:

Why do we perform ghusl?

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  1. Such impurities may include menstruation, sexual intercourse, childbirth, and seminal emission. If a person of the Islamic faith has experienced any of these events, they must cleanse themselves spiritually through ghusl before engaging in any act of worship or prayer. [18]
    • Ghusl is mandated in the Qur’an, with Allah stating: “O Believers [faith]! If you are in a state of major impurity [that requires ritual bath], then purify yourselves.” (Qur’an 5:6) [19]
    • Ghusl is also mentioned in the Hadiths, where Aisha (a wife of the prophet Muhammad) asks her husband about whether ghusl is required after menses. He responds:
      • “Let one of you take her water and lotus leaves and clean herself well, then let her pour water over her head and rub it vigorously so that it will reach the roots of her hair. Then let her pour the water over herself, then take a piece of cloth scented with musk and purify herself.” [20]
Section 7 of 7:

Frequently Asked Questions About Ghusl for Women

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  1. 1
    Can wudu replace ghusl? No, ghusl must be performed when it’s required and wudu cannot be done in its stead. Wudu alone doesn’t adequately cleanse the mind and body. However, ghusl includes the act of wudu , so you don’t have to also do wudu after you’ve already performed ghusl . [21]
  2. 2
    Do I have to unbraid and wash my hair for ghusl ? You do not have to unbraid your hair for ghusl , but you must thoroughly wet your roots with water. Islamic texts mention that Umm Salama asked the Prophet about her braided hair, and the Prophet stated that “it will be sufficient for you to pour three handfuls of water on your head, then pour water over yourself and you will be purified.” [22]
  3. 3
    Can I do ghusl with my husband? Yes, it’s appropriate to perform ghusl alongside your husband, thanks to this Hadith of Aisha: [23]
    • “The Prophet ﷺ 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!’”
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      References

      1. ↑ https://thequraneducation.com/frequently-asked-questions-about-ghusl/
      2. ↑ https://mensesmatters.org/knowledge-base/ritual-bath-ghusl/
      3. ↑ https://mensesmatters.org/knowledge-base/ritual-bath-ghusl/
      4. ↑ https://www.ohsu.edu/womens-health/care-and-keeping-your-vagina
      5. ↑ https://raleighmasjid.org/wudu/
      6. ↑ https://mensesmatters.org/knowledge-base/ritual-bath-ghusl/
      7. ↑ https://imam-us.org/ghusl-a-step-by-step-guide
      8. ↑ https://raleighmasjid.org/wudu/
      9. ↑ https://www.prayertimes.org/en/how-to-do-ghusl-for-men/
      1. ↑ https://www.prayertimes.org/en/how-to-do-ghusl-for-men/
      2. ↑ https://mensesmatters.org/knowledge-base/ritual-bath-ghusl/
      3. ↑ https://mensesmatters.org/knowledge-base/ritual-bath-ghusl/
      4. ↑ https://imam-us.org/ghusl-a-step-by-step-guide
      5. ↑ https://www.iium.edu.my/deed/lawbase/risalah_maliki/book02.html
      6. ↑ https://imam-us.org/ghusl-a-step-by-step-guide
      7. ↑ https://www.iium.edu.my/deed/lawbase/risalah_maliki/book02.html
      8. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaginal-discharge/
      9. ↑ https://www.iium.edu.my/deed/lawbase/risalah_maliki/book02.html
      10. ↑ https://quran.com/en/al-maidah/6
      11. ↑ https://sunnah.com/muslim:332c
      12. ↑ https://imam-us.org/ghusl-a-step-by-step-guide
      13. ↑ https://hadeethenc.com/en/browse/hadith/10030
      14. ↑ https://seekersguidance.org/answers/adab/performing-ghusl-with-ones-spouse/

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