Chapter: The Ritual Bath (Ghusl) (1)

It becomes obligatory in the following situations:

• The emission of semen accompanied by sexual pleasure, and any emission that occurs while one is asleep. If the semen merely moves within the body (2) but does not yet emerge, one must perform the bath for that movement (3); should it later come out without pleasure, a second bath is not required.

• The complete insertion of the glans of the penis into a natural orifice—even the anus—or into the private part of an animal or a corpse.

• When a non-Muslim embraces Islam.

• Death.

• The completion of menstruation or post-partum bleeding, but not a childbirth unaccompanied by blood.

Whoever is required to perform such a bath is forbidden to recite a single Qur’anic verse or more, or to remain in a mosque without minor ablution. He may, however, pass through the mosque and utter phrases that coincide with Qur’anic wording without intending to quote it, such as the basmala (saying “In the name of Allah”) or the hamdala (saying “Praise be to Allah”).

[Recommended Baths]

It is recommended to bathe for Friday and the two Eids, after washing a deceased person, upon regaining sanity after insanity or consciousness after fainting when no ejaculation has taken place, for the eclipse and rain-seeking prayers, for entering the state of ihram, (4) upon entering Mecca, for the Ṭawāf al-Ifāḍah and the Farewell Ṭawāf, for standing at ʿArafah, spending the night at Muzdalifah, and for stoning the pillars.