Is it permissible not to perform ghusl (ritual bathing) every day when in doubt about a nocturnal emission after intercourse, due to the presence of characteristics of semen that may be from the night, and not remembering the nocturnal emission?
If you bathe after intercourse due to the presence of semen, then see semen after waking up, it is a wet dream (احتلام) that necessitates ghusl. However, if you do not bathe after intercourse and then see semen and are unsure about the cause of its discharge, you must perform ghusl because it is possible that it was a wet dream. And whoever sees semen on their garment and does not recall a wet dream must perform ghusl. It is obligatory to make up the prayers that were performed after the last sleep if the semen was from a wet dream and you did not perform ghusl; this is the opinion of the majority of scholars. It is advisable to wash off traces of semen before sleeping to avoid doubt and whisperings (وسوسة).
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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