The meaning of ghusl

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The Arabic word ghusl means to take a bath to wash the whole of one’s body. In the Islamic context it means pouring pure water over the entire body in a particular way, with the intention of worshipping Allah by uplifiting the state of major ritual impurity.

Istijmar

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Istijmar involves wiping with a solid object that is pure and cleansing, such as toilet paper, stones, wood, etc. The Prophet (peace be upon him) used stones for the purpose, and whatever achieves the same results is also acceptable.

Istinja’

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Istinja’ is the Arabic word used for the removal of traces of what is discharged through the private parts, while istijmar signifies the use of a cleansing solid object, such as toilet paper or something similar. Either one is sufficient, as it is authentically reported.

Unbelievers’ utensils

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The primary ruling is that these are permissible to use. However, if it is known that they are contaminated with impurity, then they may not be used until they have been washed.

Water ensures purification is called tahur

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The water that ensures purification is called tahur, and it is defined as pure and purifying. It is every type of water that retains its original state as it is created, whether it falls from the sky, such as rain water, snow and hail, or comes up from the earth, such as the water of rivers, springs, wells and seas.