Muslims must be pure before praying or any other act of worship requiring purity. Purification means the removal of any physical discharge from private parts which require washing, water sprinkling or wiping. 

Purification

Linguistically speaking, purification means cleanliness and being free of dirt. 

Technically, purity is divided into two types; removing the filth and uplifting the ritual status of impurity. Filth or better known as Najasah in Arabic is physical substance that must be washed or removed from the body, clothes and the spot a worshipper is using for prayer. Urine, stool, menstrual blood, a dog’s saliva among other things are considered najis or impure. The second part of purity is uplifting both minor and major impurity. Minor impurity is caused by answering the call of nature, passing wind, sleeping or eating camel’s meat. Such minor ritual impurity is uplifted by performing ablution (wudhu). Major ritual impurity is caused by ejaculation, sexual intercourse or discharge of blood in menses or after giving birth. This major ritual impurity is uplifted by taking ritual bath or Ghusul.