Question:
Shaykh, is it enough to just take a shower and let water run over the whole body for ghusl to be valid?
Answer:
Bismillah, wal-ḥamdu lillāh.
My dear brother or sister, may Allah bless you for seeking knowledge—this is a beautiful question.
If a person stands under the shower and allows water to reach the entire body, and they have the intention (niyyah) in their heart that they are performing ghusl to purify themselves from major impurity—then yes, this can be a valid ghusl.
However, there are a few conditions that must be fulfilled:
1. Intention (Niyyah):
Before you begin, you must intend in your heart that you are performing ghusl to remove major impurity—whether it’s after janābah (sexual impurity), menstruation, or otherwise. You do not need to say anything out loud, but the intention must be present.
2. Complete Water Coverage:
It is necessary that water reaches every part of the body—no area should be left dry. That includes under the arms, inside the belly button, between the fingers and toes, the roots of the hair, and all folds and hidden areas. For those with thick or braided hair, it is enough for water to reach the roots and scalp.
3. Rinsing the Mouth and Nose:
According to the majority of scholars (including the Hanafis, Shafiʿis, and Hanbalis), rinsing the mouth (madmadah) and the nose (istinshāq) is obligatory in ghusl. So, you must make sure to do that. Simply swish water in your mouth and rinse your nose by gently sniffing water in and blowing it out.
If these conditions are met, then even if you are under a shower, your ghusl is valid—bi’idhnillāh.
But if one stands under the shower without intention, or neglects parts of the body, or forgets to rinse the mouth and nose (when required), then the ghusl would not be complete and must be redone.
May Allah accept from us and purify us inwardly and outwardly.