❖ Ruling on Wiping the Head During Wudu in Ghusl (Bath) ❖
Source: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah, Vol. 1, Kitāb al-ʿAqāʾid, p. 209
What is the ruling on wiping the head during wudu (ablution) when performing ghusl (ritual bath)? Is it necessary?
Alḥamdulillāh, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
It is preferable not to wipe the head when performing wudu as part of ghusl.
Proof from Hadith:
Narrated in Sunan al-Nasāʾī:
"حَتَّى إِذَا بَلَغَ رَأْسَهُ لَمْ يَمْسَحْ"
“When the Prophet ﷺ reached his head (during ghusl), he did not wipe it.”
(Sunan al-Nasāʾī, Vol. 1, p. 205–206, Ḥadīth 422, Bāb Tark Masḥ al-Raʾs fī al-Wuḍūʾ min al-Janābah – Ḥadīth is Ṣaḥīḥ Gharīb)
Authentic narrations also show that feet were washed at the end of ghusl, not necessarily as part of wudu.
Imām Ibn Ḥajar al-ʿAsqalānī رحمه الله states:
“None of the narrations regarding ghusl from janābah mention wiping of the head.”
(Fatḥ al-Bārī, 1/363, under Ḥadīth 259)
✔ Imām Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal رحمہ الله was also of the view that there is no need to wipe the head during wudu performed as part of ghusl from janābah.
(See: Masāʾil Abī Dāwūd, p. 19, Bāb al-Junub wa al-Ḥāʾiḍ)
✔ The Mālikī madhhab holds a similar position — no need to perform masḥ (wiping) of the head in this specific case.
There is no need to wipe the head during wudu that is performed as part of ghusl.
Washing the face, arms, and feet is sufficient.
Washing the feet at the end of ghusl is mustaḥabb (recommended), as supported by several authentic reports.
وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
Source: Fatāwā ʿIlmiyyah, Vol. 1, Kitāb al-ʿAqāʾid, p. 209❖ Question
What is the ruling on wiping the head during wudu (ablution) when performing ghusl (ritual bath)? Is it necessary?
❖ Answer
Alḥamdulillāh, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
➊ Evidence: Omission of Head Wiping in Ghusl
It is preferable not to wipe the head when performing wudu as part of ghusl.
Proof from Hadith:Narrated in Sunan al-Nasāʾī:
"حَتَّى إِذَا بَلَغَ رَأْسَهُ لَمْ يَمْسَحْ"
“When the Prophet ﷺ reached his head (during ghusl), he did not wipe it.”
(Sunan al-Nasāʾī, Vol. 1, p. 205–206, Ḥadīth 422, Bāb Tark Masḥ al-Raʾs fī al-Wuḍūʾ min al-Janābah – Ḥadīth is Ṣaḥīḥ Gharīb)
➋ Washing of the Feet After Ghusl
Authentic narrations also show that feet were washed at the end of ghusl, not necessarily as part of wudu.
Imām Ibn Ḥajar al-ʿAsqalānī رحمه الله states:“None of the narrations regarding ghusl from janābah mention wiping of the head.”
(Fatḥ al-Bārī, 1/363, under Ḥadīth 259)
➌ Opinion of Imām Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal and the Mālikī School
✔ Imām Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal رحمہ الله was also of the view that there is no need to wipe the head during wudu performed as part of ghusl from janābah.
(See: Masāʾil Abī Dāwūd, p. 19, Bāb al-Junub wa al-Ḥāʾiḍ)✔ The Mālikī madhhab holds a similar position — no need to perform masḥ (wiping) of the head in this specific case.
➍ Conclusion
There is no need to wipe the head during wudu that is performed as part of ghusl. Washing the face, arms, and feet is sufficient. Washing the feet at the end of ghusl is mustaḥabb (recommended), as supported by several authentic reports.وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
