Islamic Interpretation
A ritual bath (Arabic: Ghusl, in Islamic law) is traditionally performed on festival days, before Friday congregational prayers, prior to pilgrimage, after recovery from illness, or required due to seminal emission in sleep or after intimate relations; it is also administered to the deceased before burial, or taken by the undertaker after washing the body. Performing a ritual bath in a dream before Friday prayers signifies self-purification, cleansing from sins, repentance, devotion to parents, or loyalty to friends. If done for such purposes in winter using cold water, it indicates distress, difficulties, or illness, whereas using hot water suggests gains, advantages, and healing from sickness. Taking a ritual bath in a dream before a festival denotes marriage. Performing it after a solar or lunar eclipse implies hardship, and similarly before rain-seeking prayers. Taking it after washing a deceased person means distancing oneself from negligent company. If the performer is insane, it foretells awakening cured from madness. Performing a ritual bath before the sacred pilgrimage signifies joy, achievement, triumph over foes, settling debts, or reunion with loved ones. Taking it before circumambulating the Kaaba in Mecca means earning a living, serving the wealthy, or tending to one's spouse and parents. For an ill person seeing himself take a ritual bath and then don a new garment, it means speedy recovery from ailment. Taking a ritual bath in a dream may also indicate freedom for a captive, debt clearance, alleviation of worries, or it could signify wealth, success, undertaking the Mecca pilgrimage, or thriving in business. Failing to wear a new garment afterward means easing of burdens or regaining health. Entering a pond, descending into a well, or stepping into a bathtub for such a bath in a dream points to marriage. Using soap during the ablution signifies settling debts or relieving anxiety. Washing clothes after Ghusl means amending behavior, following proper religious practice, repaying debts, or removing impurity. Seeing a deceased person performing ablution before burial in a dream means ease for survivors and growth in their inheritance. Administering a ritual bath to a deceased person signifies that someone will repent of sins through the undertaker's guidance. If a deceased person requests someone in a dream to wash his clothing, it means he requires prayers, intercession with his Lord, charity for his soul, debt settlement, fulfillment of his will, or seeking justice for him; fulfilling this request and washing his clothes in the dream indicates the salvation of that soul. (Also see Ablution)