Ruling on Wiping the Head and Ears During Ghusl Janabah

Taken from: "Ahkam wa Masail in the Light of the Qur’an and Hadith", Volume 02

❀ Question:​

Is it necessary to wipe the head and ears (masḥ) during Ghusl Janabah (ritual bath after sexual impurity)?

❀ Answer:​

**✦ Yes, before performing Ghusl, it is Sunnah to begin with the ablution (wuḍūʾ) just like for prayer, which includes wiping the head and ears.
Without this, the wuḍūʾ portion of Ghusl is incomplete.

✿ The Correct Procedure:​

The Prophet ﷺ would perform a full wuḍūʾ, including:


① Washing the hands
② Rinsing the mouth and nose
③ Washing the face and arms
④ Wiping the head and ears
⑤ Washing the feet


—before pouring water over the entire body for Ghusl.


This is based on multiple authentic narrations, including the well-known Hadith of Maymūnah رضي الله عنها, describing the Ghusl of the Prophet ﷺ.

✿ Important Clarification:​

• During full-body washing (Ghusl), the obligation is to ensure water reaches the entire body, including the hair and scalp.
• But when preceded by wuḍūʾ, which is the Sunnah practice, the masḥ (wiping) of the head and ears is included as part of that wuḍūʾ.

✔ Summary:​

① Wiping the head and ears is part of the wuḍūʾ done before Ghusl.
② It is necessary for the completion of wuḍūʾ, just as in normal prayer preparation.
③ This follows the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ in Ghusl.
Wallāhu Aʿlam.