• insanity, and
• audible laughter during any prayer that includes bowing and prostration.

The obligatory components of ghusl (the major ritual bath) are: rinsing the mouth, drawing water into the nose, and washing the entire body.

The recommended practices of ghusl are as follows: the person taking the bath begins by washing his hands and private parts and removes any visible impurity on his body; he then performs wudu (ablution) as he would for prayer—leaving the feet until later—after which he pours water over his head and the rest of his body three times. He then steps aside from the spot and washes his feet.

A woman is not required to undo her braids during ghusl as long as water reaches the roots of her hair.

The circumstances that require ghusl are:
• the ejaculation of semen with force and pleasure, whether from a man or a woman;
• the mere meeting of the two circumcised parts, even without ejaculation;
• menstruation; and
• post-partum bleeding.

The Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—recommended ghusl for Friday, the two ‘Id festivals, and upon entering the state of ihram.

No ghusl is required for madhy (pre-ejaculatory fluid) or wady (post-urination discharge); they necessitate only wudu.

Purification from ritual impurity is valid with water that comes from the sky, valleys, springs, wells, and the sea. It is not valid with liquids extracted from trees or fruits, nor with water overpowered by another substance so that it ceases to be regarded as water—such as beverages, vinegar, rosewater, bean-water, broth, or dye-water.

It is permissible to purify oneself with water that has been mixed with a pure substance that alters one of its characteristics, such as floodwater or water blended with alkali, soap, or saffron.

Any water into which an impurity has fallen must not be used for wudu, whether the amount is small or large, because the Prophet—peace be upon him—commanded that water be protected from contamination, saying, “None of you should urinate …”