Seventeen Occasions When Major Ablution is Called For

In this post I present an Authentic tradition that highlights when Major ablutions or purification [Ghusl] are required.  There are 17 occasions on which Ghusl is required.  In addition to reminding us about these mandatory times for ghusl, this tradition brings to light a few important dates in our calendars as well. 

            For example, after reading this tradition we would know when Jesus, peace be upon him, was raised to heavens, when Moses, peace be upon him, died, and when the two armies met.

            What is important to realize, after reading this tradition, is that the night when our destiny for the next upcoming year is written is different from the night of power [Laylatul Qadr].  In other words, we should not say that the night of power is when our destinies are written, because that may not necessarily be the case.  

Note: since this tradition is not from Al-Kafi, I checked the Tareeq of its sanad (chain) as well, and based on my research the tareeq of this tradition is authentic as well.

               

            May all of your prayers, fasts and good deeds be accepted and rewarded by Allah the Almighty in this blessed Month of Ramadhan.

Arabic Text:

محمد بن الحسن‏ [تعليق‏] بإسناده عن الحسين بن سعيد [ضمير] عن حماد عن حريز عن محمد بن مسلم عن أحدهما ع قال‏  الْغُسْلُ فِي سَبْعَةَ عَشَرَ مَوْطِناً لَيْلَةِ سَبْعَ عَشْرَةَ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ وَ هِيَ لَيْلَةُ الْتَقَى الْجَمْعَانِ وَ لَيْلَةِ تِسْعَ عَشْرَةَ وَ فِيهَا يُكْتَبُ الْوَفْدُ وَفْدُ السَّنَةِ وَ لَيْلَةِ إِحْدَى وَ عِشْرِينَ وَ هِيَ اللَّيْلَةُ الَّتِي أُصِيبَ فِيهَا أَوْصِيَاءُ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ ع وَ فِيهَا رُفِعَ عِيسَى ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ ع وَ قُبِضَ مُوسَى ع وَ لَيْلَةِ ثَلَاثٍ وَ عِشْرِينَ يُرْجَى فِيهَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ وَ يَوْمَيِ الْعِيدَيْنِ وَ إِذَا دَخَلْتَ الْحَرَمَيْنِ وَ يَوْمِ تُحْرِمُ وَ يَوْمِ الزِّيَارَةِ وَ يَوْمِ تَدْخُلُ الْبَيْتَ وَ يَوْمِ التَّرْوِيَةِ وَ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ وَ إِذَا غَسَّلْتَ مَيِّتاً أَوْ كَفَّنْتَهُ أَوْ مَسِسْتَهُ بَعْدَ مَا يَبْرُدُ وَ يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ وَ غُسْلُ الْجَنَابَةِ فَرِيضَةٌ وَ غُسْلُ الْكُسُوفِ إِذَا احْتَرَقَ الْقُرْصُ كُلُّهُ فَاغْتَسِلْ

English Translation:

Narrated by him from Hammad from Huraiz from Mohamed Ibn Muslim from one of them (peace be upon them):

"Major ablutions [aghsal] are done in 17 occasions. On the night of 17th of Ramadhan, the eve of the meeting of the two groups, the night of 19th of Ramadhan in which a man’s destiny is recorded for the coming year, on the night of 21st of Ramadhan, the night on which the trustees of prophets were afflicted. On that night Jesus (pbuh) was ascended and on that night was the death of Moses (pbuh). The night of 23rd of Ramadhan, which is hoped to be the night of power [Laylatul Qadr]. On the days/periods of both eids, upon entering the two harams, on the eve of pilgrimage [Ihram], on the day of visitation [ziyara] and entering the [holy] House, on the day of Tarwiya, on the day of Arafa, and when you wash and shroud a corpse or touch it after it has grown cold, and on Fridays. Purification after sexual intercourse is obligatory. Major ablution is also required for the eclipse [of the sun], in the case of a total eclipse do ghusl."

Source:

Wasael ul-Shia, Volume 3, Page 307, Tradition #3718