The Shaykh (Al-Mufid), may Allah سبحانه وتعالى support him, said: If a person in a state of major ritual impurity (junub) intends to purify himself through ghusl, he should first ensure he voids any remaining seminal fluid by urinating, to expel what might remain in the urethra. If urination is not possible, he should strive for istibraʾ by massaging from beneath the testicles to the base of the penis and then squeezing the shaft toward the tip to remove any remaining impurity. He should then wash the tip of the penis and the exit point of the semen. If semen has soiled his thighs or any other part of his body, he should wash it off. Then he should rinse his mouth and sniff water into his nostrils three times, as this is a recommended Sunnah act. After this, he should take a handful of water with his right hand and pour it over the crown of his head, ensuring that it reaches the roots of his hair. If he takes water with both hands and pours it over his head, it is even more thorough. If one handful is not enough to wash his head, beard, and neck up to the base of his shoulders, he should take another handful and do so. He should then insert his index fingers into his ears, wash the inside of them, and follow this with washing their outer parts. Next, he should wash the right side of his body, from the base of the neck to under his right foot, using about three handfuls of water or more. Similarly, he should wash the left side in the same way, while using his hands to wipe all parts of his body to ensure water reaches every area.
Commentary #17