Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that once Asma bint Shakal came to the service of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and asked, "When a woman becomes pure from menstruation, how should she perform ghusl (ritual bath)?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Take lote tree leaves and water, first perform wudu (ablution), then wash your head, then rub your head in such a way that water reaches the roots, then pour water over the entire body, then take a piece of cloth used during menstruation and clean yourself with it." She asked, "O Messenger of Allah! How should I clean myself with the menstrual cloth?" He replied, "Clean yourself with it." Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) says that I understood what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) meant, so I said to the woman, "Clean the traces of blood."