Cleaning Your Teeth and Nose in Ghusl

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: The following pertain to ghusl: [1] When rinsing out the mouth and gargling, must you use your finger to clean the teeth and/or brush the teeth as well. If you do not do this will the ghusl be incomplete? [2] When cleaning out the nose after sniffing the water in and blowing it, out must you clean out the nose with the little finger. If you do not clean out the nose with the little finger and find dry or soft mucus in one or both nostrils afterwards, will the ghusl be incomplete?

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I pray that you are well, insha’Allah.

[1] No, it is not a condition to brush your teeth during the ritual bath (ghusl). It would however remain a sunna to do so during the wudu which precedes a full, sunna ghusl.

[2] No, it is not obligatory to insert your finger into your nose during the ghusl itself. This is a means of fulfilling the washing of the nose. If you can wash it without inserting your finger, there would be no harm in doing so. Though, you should ensure any barriers to the skin (such as dry mucus) are removed before washing it.

[Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah]

And Allah alone gives success.

Wassalam,

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani

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