I say, and with God's help: Ghusl (ritual washing) can be obligatory, recommended, or desirable: First: Obligatory Ghusl: Ghusl becomes obligatory in the following cases: 1. Ejaculation due to desire. 2. Sexual intercourse even if no ejaculation occurs. 3. Wet dream if ejaculation occurs. 4. A conscious person seeing water (semen) even if he does not remember the wet dream. 5. The end of menstruation and postpartum bleeding. 6. Washing the deceased: it is obligatory as a communal duty, so if some perform it, it is lifted from the rest, otherwise, all are sinful. 7. A person who converts to Islam while in a state of major ritual impurity (janabah): he must perform Ghusl; because the state of impurity continues until he remains in it after converting to Islam. However, if he converts and is not in a state of impurity, then Ghusl is recommended for him. Second: Recommended Ghusl: It is recommended to perform Ghusl for Friday, the two Eids, entering the state of Ihram for Hajj or Umrah, and standing at Arafah; as narrated by Umar in Sahih al-Bukhari: the Messenger of God said: "When one of you comes to Friday, let him perform Ghusl." And as narrated by Imam Ahmad in his Musnad from Al-Faqih ibn Sa'd — who was a companion — that the Messenger of God used to perform Ghusl on Friday, the Day of Arafah, the Day of Fitr, and the Day of Nahr. Third: Desirable Ghusl: 1. Ghusl for one who regains consciousness from madness, intoxication, or fainting; as narrated by Muslim in his Sahih from Ubaidullah ibn Abdullah who said: "I entered upon Aisha and said to her: 'Will you not tell me about the illness of the Messenger of God?' She said: 'Yes, the Prophet was ill and said: 'Did the people pray?' We said: 'No, they are waiting for you, O Messenger of God.' He said: 'Put water for me in the basin,' and we did so, and he performed Ghusl, then he went to lean but fainted, then he regained consciousness and said: 'Did the people pray?' We said: 'No, they are waiting for you, O Messenger of God.' He said: 'Put water for me in the basin,' and we did so, and he performed Ghusl..." 2. Ghusl after washing the deceased; as narrated by Ibn Majah from Abu Huraira that the Prophet said: "Whoever washes a deceased person should perform Ghusl." 3. Ghusl upon entering Mecca or Medina; as narrated by Muslim in his Sahih from Ibn Umar: "He would not enter Mecca except that he would stay at Dhul-Tuwa until morning and perform Ghusl, then enter Mecca during the day, and it is mentioned that the Prophet did this." Ghusl for a boy when he reaches the age of maturity, not due to a wet dream. Ghusl for a disbeliever who converts to Islam and is not in a state of impurity, Ghusl after cupping, on the Night of Decree if he sees it, when standing at Muzdalifah on the morning of the Day of Nahr, upon entering Mina on the Day of Nahr, for the Tawaf of visitation, and for the prayer of solar eclipse, rain supplication, fear, darkness, and strong wind; as there are evidences supporting this. See: Majma' al-Anhar 1: 25, and Al-Hadiyyah al-Alaiyyah p. 31. Whoever wishes to review the hadiths related to this topic should refer to I'la al-Sunan 1: 209-222, and God knows best.