Ignorance of the ritual bath (ghusl)

Question: I had a wet dream a year ago and didn’t know that I had to make ghusl. When I eventually made ghusl, it wasn’t valid according to in any particular madhhab? Please advise.

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

You are not at fault for not knowing about ghusl. Your parents should have told you about it, so don’t worry. (Fath al Muin, Millibari)

You do, however, have to repeat your prayers from the day that you had your wet dream to the day that you had a normal shower and washed your whole body, or until the day that you had a ritual bath (ghusl).

If the ghusl wasn’t valid according to any particular madhhab, it is overlooked for the past. (Hashiyat Ibn Abidin; Mukhtasar Al Fawaid al Madaniyya, Saqqaf; Hashiyat Al Dasuqi ala al Sharh al Kabir)

From now on, you should choose a madhhab and study it properly.

I pray this helps.

[Ustadh] Farid

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Farid Dingle has completed extensive years of study in the sciences of the Arabic language and the various Islamic Sciences. During his studies, he also earned a CIFE Certificate in Islamic Finance. Over the years, he has developed a masterful ability to craft lessons that help non-Arabic speakers gain a deep understanding of the language. He currently teaches courses in the Arabic Language.