What do hadath (ritual impurity) and purification from hadath mean?

In religious literature, hadath refers to the state of being without ablution, in a state of major ritual impurity (janabah), menstruation, or postpartum bleeding. This condition prevents a person from performing certain acts of worship. (Bukhari, Wudu’, 2 [135]; Muslim, Taharah, 2 [225]; Maydani, al-Lubab, 1/5)

Hadath is divided into two categories: major hadath and minor hadath. Major ritual impurities such as janabah, menstruation, and postpartum bleeding are considered major hadath, while being without ablution is considered minor hadath. (Maydani, al-Lubab, 1/5)

Major hadath is removed by performing ghusl (full ritual washing), while minor hadath is removed by performing wudu (ablution). If water is not available or cannot be used, both major and minor hadath can be removed by performing tayammum (dry ablution). (Kasani, Bada’i, 1/44,45)

Source: T.C. Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı, Din İşleri Yüksek Kurulu