Assalaam alaikum,

While going through the posts of some of the scholars on the internet, some scholars such as Sheikh Saleh Al-Munajjid and many others said that ghusl becomes obligatory on women if they have an orgasm or reach climax.  In another post one sister Umm Reem mentioned that ghusl becomes obligatory on women if they have an orgasm even if fluid is not discharged. But as far as I know it is mentioned in the hadith that Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) said that ghusl only becomes obligatory if she sees the fliud otherwise not. So what is the correct ruling since I am very confused due to different fatwas. How can a normal person know which is correct and which is false? 

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.

Answer

Ghusl can be classified in to two types

(1) Compulsory

(a) Ghusl is compulsory should one have a discharge of mani (sperm) owing to stimulation while asleep or awake. Abu Sa’eed reported that he heard the Messenger of Allah (sallal lahu alayhi wa sallam) say, “Water (washing) is (needed) after (ejaculation of) sperm.” (Related by Muslim.)

(b) After sexual intercourse – Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet, (sallal lahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “When anyone sits between the four parts of her body and exerts himself (has intercourse), bathing becomes obligatory (for both).” (Related by Ahmad and Muslim)

(c) After menstruation and childbirth bleeding – Allah states in the Qur’an, “Do not approach them until they become pure. When they are pure, go to them in the manner that Allah has prescribed for you.” The Messenger of Allah (sallal lahu alayhi wa sallam) said to Fatimah bint Abu Habish, “Do not pray during your period. After it has ended, perform ghusl and pray.” (Related by al-Bukhari and Muslim.)

(d) When a Muslim dies, it is obligatory to wash his or her body, according to the consensus of the Muslims.

(e) New converts to Islam must perform ghusl. Abu Hurairah reported that Thumamah al-Hanafi was captured. The Prophet, upon whom be peace, passed by him and said, “What do you have to say for yourself, O Thumamah?” He said, “If you kill me, you would be killing a relative. If you give me a bounty (set me free), I would be thankful. If you want wealth (as a ransom), we can give you what you wish.” The companions of the Prophet preferred the ransom and said, “What would we get if we killed him?” When the Prophet passed by him, he finally embraced Islam. The Prophet, upon whom be peace, untied him and told him to go to the garden of Abu Talhah and perform ghusl. He performed ghusl and prayed two rak’ah. The Prophet said, “Indeed, your brother became a fine Muslim.” This hadith is related by Ahmad. There is also a source for the story in reports by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

(2) Sunnah/Preferred

Muslims are encouraged to perform ghusl before they gather for the Friday Prayer, Ids, before going to Arafah, before putting on Ihraam. (Hidaya: Vol1, P32)

With regards to your question, Saaidah Aaisha Radiallahu Anha relates that the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam was asked about a man who finds wetness (semen from ejaculation) but does not remember having a wet dream. So He Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam said, “he must perform ghusul” and he was asked about a man who thinks he had a wet dream but finds not wetness. So He Sallallahu Alayhi Wasalam said: “he does not have to perform ghusul.” So Umm Sulaim Radiallahu Anha asked, if a woman finds wetness, does she have to perform ghusul? He said ”yes, women are the partners of men.” (Sunan Abi Dawud p.35 v.1)

If a woman is having sexual intercourse then as soon as the male private part enters the female private part then ghusl becomes compulsory regardless of whether the woman experiences orgasm or not. If a woman is experiencing an erotic dream then ghusl will only be obligatory if any fluid comes out. (Raddul Muhtar p.300 v.1)

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham