Is Sniffing Water into the Nose Obligatory in Ghusl?

Answered by Ustadh Salman Younas

Question: In ghusl it is obligatory to sniff water into the nose. But if one or two noseholes is blocked does this make the ghusl invalid. Because if one nosehole is blocked you can’t sniff with it.
So could you please tell me what I should do to make my ghusl valid.

Answer: assalamu `alaykum

The obligation during the ritual bath (ghusl) is to wash the nose.

Sniffing is not necessarily a requirement in so far as the nose can be washed without actual sniffing. When a person is experienced a blockage, he can insert water into the noise either by blowing his nose then sniffing in water, or tilting his head back to insert water, or inserting the fingers in the nostril to guide the water around the nose.

This should be done in a straightforward manner. There is no need to fall into doubts or misgivings regarding whether one’s nose was completely washed or not. Simply perform the above two or three times and you can can safely assume the fulfillment of the obligation.

Salman

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani