Sunnah way of Gusl (Bathing)

             Ghusl may be Waajib (obligatory in case of Janaabah i.e sexual impurity following discharge, or ghusl following Haidh or Nifaas i.e menses or postpartum bleeding) or it may be sunnah and Mustahabb. The scholars have described all cases in details which can be found in Fiqh books.

Obligatory actions of Ghusl:
Let find out the obligatory actions of Gusl(bathing) first.

      The person should make the water reach all parts of his body, by whatever means. Rinsing the mouth and nose is essential in Gusl. He should remove the major impurity and purify himself properly because Allaah says in the Quran (interpretation of the meaning): 

“If you are impure(in a state of Janaaba and in need of ghusl), purify yourselves well(bathe your whole body)". (al-Maa'idah 5:6)

Sunnah actions of Ghusl:

Now the Sunnah way of bathing (Ghusul) Is given below;

1. First, make the intention: make intention in the heart to purify oneself from major impurity: 

2. Say Tasmiah: say Bismillah in heart 
3. Wash the hands: wash the hands three times.
4. Wash the private parts: then wash the private part.

5. Wudu: Then perform complete Wudoo’ as for prayer’.

6. Pour water over the head: Then pour water over the head three times, and rub the hair so that the water reaches the roots of the hair.

7. Wash the body: Wash the whole body, starting with the right side of the body and then the left, making sure that the water reaches all parts,  and rubbing it with the hands so that the water reaches the entire body.

The evidence for this Mustahabb form of ghusl is: 

It was narrated that ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: When the Messenger of Allaah (SAWW) did ghusl for Janaabah, he would wash his hands and do Wudoo’ as for prayer, then he would wash himself, then he would run his fingers through his hair, then when he thought that it [the water] had reached his skin, he would pour water over it [the head] three times, then he would wash the rest of his body.

( al-Bukhari ,248 and Muslim 316).  

The difference between Ghusl following Janabah and Menses: 

Muslim narrated from ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that Asma’ asked the Prophet (SAWW) about ghusl following menses. 

He said: “Let one of you take her water and lotus leaves and clean herself well, then let her pour water over her head and rub it vigorously so that it will reach the roots of her hair. Then let her pour the water over herself, then take a piece of cloth scented with musk and purify herself.” 

Asma’ said: How should she purify herself? He said: “Subhaan-Allaah! Purify yourself with it.” ‘Aa’ishah said – as if she whispered it to her – Follow the traces of blood. And she asked him about ghusl in the case of janaabah. 

He said: “Let her take water and clean herself well – or clean herself thoroughly – then let her pour water over her head and rub it so that it reaches the roots of the hair, then let her pour water over herself.” ‘Aa’ishah said: How good the women of the Ansaar were! They did not let shyness prevent them from understanding their religion properly. (Al Muslim, 332)

Note: According to the this Hadith the Prophet (SAWW) differentiated between ghusl following menses and ghusl following Janaabah, with regard to rubbing the hair and applying perfume to remove any unpleasant smell.