Is it obligatory to circulate water throughout the entire mouth, including between the teeth, when rinsing the mouth during ablution (wudu') and ritual bath (ghusl)?

It is not obligatory to make the water reach the entire mouth during rinsing (madmadah); rather, it suffices to swirl the water within it. Exaggerating in rinsing by making the water reach the entire mouth is recommendable (mustahabb) but not obligatory. The minimum swirling of water in the mouth is sufficient for rinsing.

Scholars have differed regarding the obligation of rinsing in ablution (wudu') and ritual bathing (ghusl). The Malikis and Shafi'is do not consider it obligatory, while the Hanbalis deem it obligatory in both. The Hanafis consider it obligatory in ritual bathing but not in ablution. The cautious approach is to perform it in both.