Ghusl with 4 Mudds: Prophetic Purification 💧
Ghusl (الغُسل), or major ablution, is a major act of purification in Islam. Did you know that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) performed his complete ghusl with only 4 mudds of water , or about 3 liters? In a time when an average shower uses 50 to 100 liters, this prophetic practice teaches us moderation and efficiency.
Discover in this comprehensive guide how to perform your ghusl according to the exact Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
📖 What is Ghusl?
Definition
Ghusl is the complete purification of the body with water, obligatory in certain situations in order to perform prayer and other acts of worship.
Difference between Wudu and Ghusl
| Criteria | Wudu (Ablutions) | Ghusl (Major Ablution) |
|---|---|---|
| Water needed | 1 Mudd (0.75L) | 1 Saa' = 4 Mudds (3L) |
| Washed parts | Specific members | Whole body |
| Occasions | Before each prayer | Specific situations |
| Duration | 2-3 minutes | 5-10 minutes |
To learn more about wudu with a Mudd, consult our ablution guide .
🕌 When is Ghusl obligatory?
Mandatory Situations
Ghusl becomes obligatory in the following cases:
1. After Intimate Relations
"When the two circumcised men meet, ghusl becomes obligatory."
— Narrated by Aisha, Sahih Muslim 349
2. After Ejaculation (with or without intercourse)
"Water is only due for water."
—Reported by Umm Sulaym, Sahih al-Bukhari 290
3. End of Menstruation (for women)
After the end of menstruation, the woman must perform ghusl before resuming prayer.
4. End of Lochia (for women)
After childbirth, when postpartum bleeding stops (usually a maximum of 40 days).
5. After Death (for the deceased)
The ghusl of the deceased is a communal obligation (fard kifaya).
Recommended Situations
Ghusl is strongly recommended (sunnah mu'akkadah) in these cases:
- 🕌 Friday Prayer (Jumu'ah)
- 🌙 Prayers for the two Eids
- 🕋 Entering the state of ihram (pilgrimage)
- 🌙 Night of Destiny (Laylat al-Qadr)
- ☪️ After washing a dead person
- 🕌 Entry to Medina or Mecca
- 🌙 Mid-Sha'ban Night
💧 The Hadith of Ghusl with 1 Saa' (4 Mudds)
The Practice of the Prophet ﷺ
"The Prophet ﷺ performed his ablutions with a Mudd and his ghusl with a Saa'."
— Narrated by Anas ibn Malik, Sahih al-Bukhari 201, Sahih Muslim 325
This authentic hadith teaches us that:
- 📏 1 Saa' = 4 Mudds
- 💧 4 Mudds = 3 liters of water
- 🌟 This is enough for a complete ghusl
Comparison with Modern Practices
| Method | Quantity of Water | Economy vs Saa' |
|---|---|---|
| Ghusl with Saa' (4 Mudds) | 3 liters | Reference |
| Quick shower (5 min) | 50 liters | -94% |
| Average shower (10 min) | 100 liters | -97% |
| Bath | 150-200 liters | -98% |
Annual savings : If you perform 2 ghusls per week with a Saa' instead of a shower:
- 💧 With shower: 104 ghusls × 50L = 5,200 liters/year
- 💧 With Saa': 104 ghusls × 3L = 312 liters/year
- 🌊 Savings: 4,888 liters/year per person!
📋 Step-by-Step Guide: Ghusl with 4 Mudds
Preparation
Required Equipment
- ✅ 4 Mudds of water (or 1 container of 3 liters)
- ✅ A clean and private place
- ✅ A basin to collect the water (optional)
You can use our genuine Mudd or any 0.75 litre container.
The 3 Obligatory Acts of Ghusl
According to the majority of scholars, ghusl comprises 3 obligatory acts (fard):
- 💧 Rinse your mouth (madmada)
- 👃 Rinse your nose (istinshaq)
- 🚿 Wash the whole body once
Everything else is sunnah (recommended).
Complete Method according to the Sunnah
Step 1: The Intention (Niyyah)
Formulate the intention in your heart:
"I intend to perform ghusl to purify myself from the state of janaba (or menstruation, etc.)"
Step 2: Wash your hands (3 times)
Start by washing your hands up to the wrists, three times.
Water used : ~1/4 of Mudd
Step 3: Wash the Intimate Areas
Wash the private parts with your left hand, even if they are clean.
Water used : ~1/4 of a Mudd
Step 4: Performing Complete Ablutions
Perform your ablutions (wudu) completely as you would for prayer:
- 👄 Rinse your mouth (3 times)
- 👃 Rinse your nose (3 times)
- 😊 Wash your face (3 times)
- 💪 Wash your forearms (3 times)
- 👤 Wipe your head (once)
- 👂 Wipe the ears (once)
Note : You can delay washing your feet until the end.
Water used : ~1 Mudd (as for normal wudu)
Step 5: Wash your head and hair (3 times)
Pour water over your head three times, making sure the water reaches the roots of your hair and scalp.
“Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: ‘When the Prophet ﷺ performed ghusl after ritual impurity (janaba), he would begin by washing his hands, then he would pour water from his right hand onto his left hand and wash his private parts…’”
— Sahih al-Bukhari 248
Water used : ~1 Mudd
Step 6: Wash the Right Side of the Body
Pour water over the entire right side of your body, from your shoulder to your feet, making sure the water reaches all parts.
Water used : ~1 Mudd
Step 7: Wash the Left Side of the Body
Pour water over the entire left side of your body, from your shoulder to your feet.
Water used : ~1 Mudd
Step 8: Wash your feet (if not done before)
If you did not wash your feet during wudu, wash them now.
Total water used: 4 Mudds (3 litres)
Tips for Saving Water
- 💧 Wet without flooding : The goal is for the water to touch every part, not to soak it.
- 🤲 Use your hands to spread the water over your body
- 🚿 No need for a tap : The Mudd is more than enough
- ♻️ Collect the water : Use a basin to water the plants afterwards
👩 Ghusl Specific to Women
After Menstruation
Women must perform ghusl after the end of their menstrual period. Here are the specifics:
Undo the braids?
According to the hadith of Umm Salama:
“O Messenger of Allah, I am a woman who braids her hair tightly; do I need to undo it for ghusl after janaba?” He replied: “No, it is sufficient for you to pour three handfuls of water over your head and then pour water over your body, and you will be purified.”
— Sahih Muslim 330
Conclusion : It is not mandatory to undo the braids if the water reaches the roots.
Use of Musk or Perfume
"Aisha said: 'When one of you purifies herself after her menstrual period, let her take a piece of cloth perfumed with musk and purify herself with it.'"
— Sahih al-Bukhari 314
It is a recommended Sunnah to use perfume after ghusl (ritual purification) following menstruation.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Ghusl
Can I perform ghusl in the shower?
Yes, it is permitted, but try to follow the order of the Sunnah and limit water consumption.
Does ghusl replace wudu?
Yes, if you intend to perform both ghusl AND wudu, and you perform the acts of wudu during ghusl, you do not need to repeat wudu afterwards.
Can I perform ghusl with cold water?
Yes, it is permissible. The Prophet ﷺ sometimes performed ghusl with cold water.
How many times should I wash each part?
Once is obligatory . Three times is recommended (sunnah).
What if I don't have 4 Mudds of water?
The minimum requirement is to ensure that the water touches the entire body at least once. Use the available amount, prioritizing the necessary areas.
Is ghusl valid if I forget to rinse my mouth or nose?
According to the majority of scholars, no . Rinsing the mouth and nose is one of the obligatory acts of ghusl.
🕌 Friday Ghusl: A Highly Recommended Sunnah
"The Friday ghusl is obligatory for every pubescent person."
—Reported by Abu Sa'id al-Khudri, Sahih al-Bukhari 877
Although the term "obligatory" is used, the majority of scholars consider it to be a sunnah mu'akkadah (strongly recommended).
When to perform Ghusl on Friday?
- ⏰ After dawn on Friday (recommended)
- 🕌 Just before leaving for the mosque (best time)
🌟 The Benefits of Ghusl with 4 Mudds
By adopting this prophetic practice, you:
- 🤲 Follow the exact Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ
- 💧 Save 97% of water compared to a shower
- 💰 Reduce your water and energy bills
- 🌍 Protect the environment and resources
- ⏱️ Save time (5-10 min vs 15-20 min)
- 📚 Teach your children about Islamic moderation
- 🌟 Multiply your rewards by reviving a Sunnah
📚 Conclusion: The Prophetic Purification
Ghusl with 4 Mudds is not just a simple saving of water: it is a complete act of worship which reconnects us to the practice of the Prophet ﷺ and teaches us moderation in all aspects of our lives.
At a time when water is becoming a scarce resource in many Muslim countries, reviving this Sunnah is more relevant than ever.
May Allah make it easy for us to perform our purifications according to the Sunnah and count us among those who follow the example of the Prophet ﷺ. Ameen 🤲
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