It is not essential to rub the body during Wudu or Ghusl (ritual bath), according to the majority of scholars. It is sufficient to make sure that the water reaches all parts of the body in the case of Ghusl.

There is no difference between ghusl after sexual intercourse and ghusl after periods except that it is more mustahabb to rub the hair in the case of ghusl after a period than in the case of ghusl after sexual intercourse.