Bathing (Ghusl) Rules In Islam

The 3 obligations on bathing (Ghusl)
Gargling: Water must reach right from the lips up to the base of the throat.

Inhaling water up to the nose bone: Water must reach through both nostrils and wet the entire area, up to the nose bone.

Washing the entire body in such a manner that water flows over every part of the body, not leaving dry any spot equal to the breadth of a hair.

If any food particles are stuck in the teeth, these must be removed. Likewise, the nose must be cleaned from any dust stuck inside it, and then the nose washed with water up to the beginning of the nose bone. However, care must be exercised during fasting so as not to overdo it.

Bathing (Ghusl) according to Sunnah
Make an intention (Niyah) for bathing and at first wash both hands up to and including the wrists. Then wash the excretory organs even if there is no impurity. Then cleanse the body area that has any impurity and perform the ablution, without washing the feet. If you have a bath on a stand (high area), you may wash the feet. Next, rub water (like applying oil) on the body to wet it. Then pour water thrice over the right shoulder followed by thrice over the left shoulder. After this, pour water over the head thrice and then thrice properly over the entire body. Rub the hands over the entire body to ensure that no spot equal to the breadth of a hair remains dry. If the feet had not been washed at ablution, wash them after moving away from the bathing spot.
While bathing takes care that you should not be facing the ‘Qiblah’, nor speak nor recite any supplications. Also, bathe in a place where there is no exposure.

Things that make bathing compulsory

• Discharge of semen in a state of sexual excitement.
• Ejaculation while asleep.
• Intercourse with either sex, whether semen is discharged or not.
• Woman completing her menses.
• Stoppage of impurity for a woman after childbirth (or miscarriage etc.).