( , ) is an Arabic term to the full-body ritual purification mandatory before the performance of various rituals and prayers, for any adult Muslim after sexual intercourse/ejaculation or completion of the menstrual cycle. The washing is also recommended (i.e. it is mustahabb) before Jumu'ah and Eid prayers, before entering the ihram in preparation for Hajj, after having lost consciousness and after formally converting. Sunni Muslims also perform the ablution before Namaz-e-tawbah (Prayer of Repentance). Ghusl is often translated as "full ablution", as opposed to the "partial ablution" of wudu that Muslims perform after lesser impurities such as urination, defecation, flatulence, deep sleep, and light bleeding (depending on the madhhab). It is a ritual bath. Types by purpose Ghusl becomes obligatory for seven causes, and the ghusl for each of these different causes has different names: Ghusl Janabat is ghusl performed after sexual intercourse/ejaculation. Ghusl Hayd is following menstruation. Ghusl Nifas is following lochia (vaginal discharge after giving birth, which can occur for up to 6 weeks after birth) Ghusl Mayyit is ghusl performed on a dead Muslim. In some denominations, two further categories obligate ghusl: Ghusl Istihada is for irregular bleeding (in women). Ghusl Mas-hil Mayyit becomes obligatory if one directly touches a dead body. Ghusl also becomes obligatory following a vow or oath to perform it. Water requirements Similar to wudu, some water is permissible for use for ghusl whereas some water is not. Ghusl requires clean, odourless water that has not been used for a previous ritual and begins with the declaration of the intention of purity and worship. Permissible water sources include: Rainwater Well water Spring, sea, or river water Water of melting ice Water of a big tank or pond Ghusl is not allowed with unclean or impure water or water extracted from fruit and trees. The acts of ghusl The Quranic mandate for ghusl comes in surah an-Nisa: The phrase translated as 'intercourse' in this verse has been interpreted by Hanafi scholars to mean sexual contact, while Shafi'i scholars interpret it to mean both physical and sexual contact. Hence, the Hanafi school of thought does not require one to take wudu if there is non-sexual contact with a member of the opposite sex, while the Shafi'i school of thought does require wudu before salah and so on. Farā'id of Ghusl (Hanafi Guidelines) There are three faraid (obligatory) acts. If one of these acts is