Could you tell me about all types of ritual purity (tahara) and their true methods?
Purity is of three types:
1. The purity of a person from sins and transgressions: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, would ask Allah to purify him from them, just as a white garment is cleansed from dirt.
2. Purity from impurity (tangible defilement): Such as blood and urine, which are purified by pure water until their characteristics are removed. However, the impurity of a dog and a pig must be washed seven times, one of them with earth.
3. Purity from ritual impurity (Hadath):
Major ritual impurity (Hadath al-Akbar): Requires a full ritual bath (Ghusl), such as the emission of semen, the disappearance of the glans (into the vagina), or the cessation of menstruation and postpartum bleeding for a woman. Ghusl is achieved by forming the intention and ensuring water covers the entire body.
Minor ritual impurity (Hadath al-Asghar): Requires ablution (Wudu'), such as the emission of anything from the two private parts, touching the private parts with the palm of the hand, loss of consciousness, touching a marriageable non-mahram woman (according to some scholars), or eating camel meat (according to some scholars). Wudu' is achieved by forming the intention, washing the face, washing the hands up to the elbows, wiping the head, and washing the feet up to the ankles.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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