It is obligatory to perform a full-body purification ritual, Ghusl, before prayers and after the menstrual period or sexual intercourse. In Umrah pilgrimage, the act of Ghusl plays an important role. It is an important part of preparing oneself to visit the house of God. How to perform purification bath in Islam lays out the right way to wash oneself before entering into the state of Ihram for Hajj or Umrah pilgrimage and also before starting with Eid and Jumma prayers.
Allah the Exalted says: “O Believers [faith]! If you are in a state of major impurity [that requires ritual bath], then purify yourselves.” (Al Maida, 6)
What is Wudu?
Before we go on to the right way of performing ghusl, let’s understand another important term. Wudu is an Islamic technique of cleansing one’s body parts. It is a type of ritual purification with 4 compulsory acts consisting of washing the face and both arms including the tips of the fingers and elbows, wiping the head and washing both the feet including ankles with water.
Wudu is a necessary part of ghusl for men and ghusl for females. It is performed during ghusl dua and is an act of partial ablution (washing). According to Ali al-Ridha, if even a drop of blood, urine or animal faeces falls into the water, the person must remove ten buckets of water from it before beginning with wudu. Activities like defecation, deep sleep, urination, flatulence, menstruation, light bleeding, sexual intercourse and postpartum can invalidate wudu.
Dua before Wudu
The Dua consists solely of the words “Bismillah” before beginning wudu.
Hadrat Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA) reported it. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said the following, which he overheard.
“None of you makes wudu and completes the wudu, then says: I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah Alone, He has no partners; and I bear witness that Muhammad is His Messenger, except that all eight Gates of Paradise are opened for him, so he may enter by whichever he pleases.”
Dua after Wudu
Shahada is the dua that comes after wudu.
Ash-hadu ‘an laa ‘ilaaha ‘illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu wa ‘ash-hadu ‘anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa Rasooluhu.
“I bear witness that Muhammad is Allah’s slave and His messenger, and I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah alone, Who has no associate.”
