Is it essential when doing ghusl for janaabah to wash with soap?
Question

                If a person becomes junub then does ghusl, does he have to scrub his body with cleansing materials such as soap or not?.
Praise be to Allah.
    What is required 
    when doing ghusl in the case of major impurity is to make the water reach 
    every part of the body. It is not stipulated that soap or any other 
    cleansing material be used, because none of those who described the ghusl of 
    the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) in the case of 
    janaabah said anything about him using lotus leaves or any other kind of 
    cleansing material. Rather all he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) 
    did was to pour water over his body and make it reach every part. 

    For example, 
    ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Prophet 
    (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), when he did ghusl in the case of 
    janaabah, used to pour three scoops of water with his hands, then pour water 
    over all of his skin. Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 240 

    It was narrated 
    that Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: I said: O Messenger 
    of Allaah, I am a woman with tightly braided hair; should I undo it for 
    ghusl from janaabah? He said: “No; it is sufficient for you to pour three 
    handfuls of water over your head, then pour water over you, and you will 
    become pure.” Narrated by Muslim, 330. 

    The scholars of 
    the Standing Committee were asked (5/315): Should one wash with soap after 
    janaabah, and why? 

    They replied: It 
    is obligatory to do ghusl for janaabah using water, but it is not essential 
    to use cleansing materials such as soap and the like. This is what is 
    indicated by the Sunnah of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon 
    him). But if one uses soap or some other cleansing material, there is 
    nothing wrong with that.

    End quote. 

    And Allah knows best.