Ghusl al-Hayd
 | This section is a general introduction to the rulings of a fiqhi topic. |
Ghusl al-ḥayḍ (Arabic: غسل الحيض) (ritual bathing after menstruation) is one of the obligatory ghusls, which women must perform after their monthly period. The way of doing this ghusl is no different from other ghusls, except for intention. According to most marja's one cannot perform prayer with this ghusl.
Time of Compulsion
Like ghusl al-janaba, ghusl al-hayd is recommended in normal conditions. However, it becomes obligatory in the following cases:
- For performing the acts of worship that must be done with tahara (ritual purification), such as: daily prayers and tawaf.
- For doing the acts that are forbidden to ha'id (a menstruating women) and junub (who is in the state of janaba), such as: touching the verses of the Qur'an, staying in masjid, putting something in masjid, passing through or staying in al-Masjid al-Haram or al-Masjid al-Nabawi.
- In the month of Ramadan, according to the fatwa of most marja's, if the menses stops before fajr (dawn), the ghusl is obligatory before the adhan of fajr prayer; and if she does not perform the ghusl, her fast of that day is void and she must perform its qada.
How to Perform
Like other ghusls, ghusl al-hayd is performed in two ways: tartibi (sequential) and irtimasi (by immersion). It only differs from other ghusls in niyya (intention).
Sexual Intercourse before Ghusl
Having sexual intercourse with wife after the menstruation and before ghusl al-hayd is permissible; but it is makruh (reprehensible).
Sufficing for Prayer
According to most marja's, ghusl al-hayd does not suffice for performing prayer; thus, one must make wudu in addition to ghusl al-hayd for performing prayer.
References
- The material for this article is mainly taken from غسل حیض in Farsi Wikishia.