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الغسل before الإحرام is a سنة mu'akkadah (emphasized سنة) for both men and women, including menstruating or post-partum women. The method: make the intention for الغسل al-الإحرام, wash hands, perform الوضوء, pour water over the head three times ensuring it reaches the roots, then wash the entire body right side first then left. Use regular soap. This الغسل is for cleanliness and spiritual readiness, not for removing ritual impurity.
Before beginning the bath, make the intention in your heart that this الغسل is for entering the state of الإحرام. The intention is in the heart, not spoken aloud (عند the majority). This الغسل is سنة mu'akkadah — strongly مستحب but not واجب. If water is unavailable or harmful (due to illness), you may proceed to enter الإحرام without الغسل.
Begin by saying Bismillah. Wash both hands three times. Then wash the private areas to ensure cleanliness. This follows the general سنة method of الغسل as practiced by النبي (صلى الله عليه وسلم).
Perform a complete الوضوء (ablution) as you would for الصلاة: wash the face three times, wash hands and arms to the elbows three times (right then left), wipe the head and ears, and wash the feet three times (right then left). Some scholars say the feet may be delayed until the end of the الغسل.
These are the most frequent errors pilgrims make during this stage of Hajj.
Scholarly references supporting this guidance from established Islamic sources.
Pour water over your head three times, each time ensuring the water reaches the roots of the hair and thoroughly soaks the scalp. For men with beards, ensure water penetrates through the beard to the skin underneath. Women should loosen any braids or ties that might prevent water from reaching the roots.
Wash the right side of the body first, then the left side, ensuring water reaches every part of the skin. Pay attention to areas where water might not reach naturally: behind the ears, under the arms, the navel, between the toes, and skin folds. Use regular (unscented for الإحرام) soap if desired. Ensure no part of the body remains dry.