Must all prayers performed after puberty and up until learning of the obligation to wash the ears during ghusl be repeated, or is repetition not obligatory?
In ghusl, the entire body must be covered with water. A strong presumption that water has reached the ears is sufficient; if this is confirmed, the ghusl is valid. However, if water did not reach the ears, the ghusl is not sufficient. There is a difference of opinion regarding the obligation to re-perform the prayers that were offered. Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah holds that re-performance is not obligatory, while the majority of scholars believe that re-performance is obligatory. This latter view is more cautious and more in line with the Prophet's saying, "Allah's debt is more worthy of being fulfilled." Re-performance should be done according to one's capacity. It is permissible to follow Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah for those who find his opinion more preponderant or wish to follow him in this matter, and there is no harm in that, God willing.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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