Does One Have to Remove Earrings for the Ritual Bath (ghusl)?

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question: You’ve mentioned that one has to take off earrings while doing ghusl. If one didn’t do this in the past, does that mean all the ghusls were invalid? Can one assume water reached, while cleaning the ear? Is the ruling the same in the Shafi’ madhab?

Answer: Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I pray this finds you in the best of health and spirits.

It is best to remove the earrings, or to move them while wetting the ears. [Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah]

In terms of past practice, one can assume validity.

And Allah alone gives success.

wassalam,

Faraz Rabbani

(Originally answered on the SeekersGuidance Academy’s Absolute Essentials of Islam Course Forum)