Q & A : Ghusl ( Total Questions : 9 )

Question :

A person used to make mistakes in the way he performed his wudhu (minor ablution) or ghusl (major ablution). After many years, he comes to realize his mistakes. When he inquires as how to solve his problem, he is told: "Repeat all your prayers and perform the pilgrimage again." Since saying all the prayers and doing the pilgrimage again is difficult, is there a solution which would salvage his prayers and pilgrimage performed with wudhu and ghusl that he thought was correct? Is there such a solution as a concession to this person so that he does not become disheartened and rebellions against religious obligations in a society which encourages such kind of rebellion?

Answer :

If he was ignorant out of innocence, and therefore made mistakes without causing harm (e.g., did not follow the proper sequence in washing the head and the other parts of the body in ghusl; or did the wiping of the head or feet [mash] with a new water), then his wudhu and ghusl will be considered correct; and, consequently, his past prayers and pilgrimage will also be considered correct.



But if he was ignorant out of negligence in learning the Islamic laws or did mistakes which do invalidate the act in general (e.g., leaving out some parts of the body which must be washed in wudhu or ghusl), there is no way to validate his past prayers and pilgrimage.



However, if there is the fear that he would totally rebel when asked to make up all the past prayers and pilgrimage, then it is not appropriate to ask him to do so. Maybe Allah will improve his situation in future.1

Question :

If I forget to do ghusl-e-janabat and then after four days, I remembered that I did not performghusl-e-janabat? What should I do?

Answer :

You must perform Ghusl and fulfill the qaza of the prayers that have been offered in the state of Janabat. 3

Question :

If a person is doing Ghusl-e-Janabat Irtimasi, must he say "I perform Ghusl-e-Janabat Irtimasi" in his Niyah? If not, is, saying "I perform Ghusl-e-Janabat" enough?

Answer :

It is sufficient to intend getting nearness to Allah by getting Taharah. {Meaning, it is not necessary to mention your intention verbally. To pass it through your mind that you perform Ghusl-e Janabat is sufficient.5

Question :

If a person who performs Ghusl with the niyyat of Wajib after having ascertained that the time of Namaz had set in, comes to know after performing the bath that it was performed before the time for prayers had set in, in such a case, is the bath correct?

Answer :

The bath is correct and valid.7

Question :

How is a Tartibi (sequential) ghusl done?

Answer :

In this method of ghusl, a person should first make a niyyat for Ghusl. Thereafter one should first wash one's head and neck, and thereafter the remaining parts of one's body. It is better that one washes the right part of the body first and then the left part.9