When is ghusl obligatory, and is its obligation limited to marital intimacy, or does it include nocturnal emission and other situations?

Ghusl (ritual bath) is divided into three categories:

1. Obligatory Ghusl (agreed upon): Emission of semen, penetration (meeting of the two circumcised parts), menstruation, and post-natal bleeding.

2. Recommended Ghusl (agreed upon): Bathing for every gathering of people (such as Eid prayers, eclipse prayers, prayer for rain, and standing at Arafat), when the body undergoes a change (such as a madman regaining consciousness, one who fainted recovering, and after cupping), and for certain acts of worship (such as Ihram, circumambulation for the farewell visit, and Laylat al-Qadr).

3. Ghusl (ritual baths) over which there is disagreement:

Washing the deceased: The majority of scholars hold it to be obligatory.

Ghusl after washing the deceased: The preponderant view is that it is recommended.

Ghusl for Friday prayer: It is a Sunnah according to the majority of scholars, and obligatory for anyone who has sweat or an odor that might bother others.

Ghusl for a disbeliever upon embracing Islam: The Malikis and Hanbalis hold it to be obligatory, while the Hanafis and Shafi'is hold it to be recommended, unless one was in a state of major ritual impurity (janabah). The more cautious approach is to perform ghusl.